Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • The scent of Burger King 12/19/08   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Friday, December 19, 2008 Thunder, snow make wild combo By Debra Smith Herald Writer Thunder snow -- it sounds like a 1980s rock band, or something that could happen at a monster truck rally. It's real. And if you hear it, meteorologists recommend you run for cover. "We are able to get thunder accompanied by snow," Dennis D'Amico, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service in Seattle, said Thursday. Thunder snow was reported occurring in the skies above the central Puget Sound area this morning. It remains in the forecast. The same unstable air conditions that cause a thunder storm in the summer months can happen in winter, D'Amico said. And like a summer thunder show, thunder snow can dump a load of snow fast. Sometimes there's a flash of lightning, too. "We call it one-hit wonders," he said. "One blip of lightning lights up the screen and that's it." A forecast on the National Weather Services's Web site Thursday morning included this bit about thunder snow over the Puget Sound convergence zone: "There was some thunder snow during the wee hours in this convergence area ... Cannot rule out more thunder snow. If you hear thunder ... You are about to get dumped on." In fact, it already happened in King County on Thursday morning. "I heard it myself over north Seattle," D'Amico said. A grumble woke him about 5:30 a.m. "I wasn't sure if that's what it was, but other people have confirmed it," he said. Thunder snow was the talk of the office at the National Weather Service office Thursday morning. It's rare. One meteorologist remembered thunder snow last happening in 1990 in Seattle. Another remembered a Snohomish County event last spring. The Everett area was forecast to receive a half an inch more of snow Thursday night, according to the weather service. Today and Saturday are expected to be clear and cold. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. Waves wash away Explosion's title hopes 2. You've got your pick of Fourth of July fun 3. Snohomish entrepreneur bounces back with new venture 4. Inslee downplays fears Boeing will send second 787 line elsewhere 5. Popular park changing hands 6. Deputies shoot armed man near Arlington 7. Why, governor? 8. Edmonds backs off red-light cameras 9. Vehicle that killed girl was Chevy Astro minivan 10. Arlington buys up more water rights 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Warriors looking for balance • Three Scots vying for QB slot • Jackson looks for another title • Decorated veteran continues to serve as active volunteer • City Council reviewing sign regulations • Wildcats get a peek at newcomers • Lynnwood still in rebuilding mode • Shoreline feels a kindergarten growth spurt • Leave the patriotic pyrotechnics to professionals, cities urge • Trading dollars for kilowatts New PUD energy conservation programs save ... • By John Wolcott SCBJ Editor • Record crowd at Paine Field’s General Aviation Day as FHC Celebrate ... • Celebration of aviation's history and future presented in multiple venue ... • The time is ripe for small businesses to take no prisoners • EPA proposal to regulate global-warming gases would be costly for small ... • Innovation helps the town of Forks to offset tough economy • Powering the people