John Wendel Meteorologist

A popular old wives' tale states that if you hear thunder during the winter snow will fall in 3 to 10 days. Some folks told me it is 3 days and some have told me 10 days, but either way I have found that it does work out more often than it doesn't come true.

There is some science behind the tale that gives it some validity. When thunderstorms develop in the Charlotte area during the winter, the jet stream is from the southwest to northeast, pulling warm moist air into the state (fig.1).

In figure 1, look at Charlotte and the warmer temperatures in the 50 and 60s over the Carolinas and the colder air is coming down from the Midwest. The thunderstorms usually develop along the cold front.

Behind cold fronts during the winter, air comes from Canada and is typically very cold. It usually takes 3 to 10 day for the colder air to settle over the state (fig.2).

In figure 2, the colder air is over the Carolinas with morning temperatures in the 20s and 30s. If a weather system passes through that cold air, we have a chance for snow.

On Sunday, Jan. 4, thunderstorms formed over Charlotte during the early morning hours. Four days later, snow should fall in the mountains with 1 to as much as 3 inches of snow possible and even some piedmont and foothill locations may see a few snow flurries.

4 Comments

Judi said:

But what about us in the piedmont area? Are we planning for snow during 2009 winter time??

January 7, 2009 4:52 PM

stacey gibby said:

You are beginning to sound like a mtn man. I knew I loved your channel especially Colleen and Larry. I am now beginning to warm up to you. I do like your facts with myths. Keep it up BRING us some SNOW..... My Dad says it's snowing like crazy in Andrews right now.

January 7, 2009 6:31 PM

Doug Black said:

On Feb. 18 at approx. 9-10pm a Thunderstorm was in the Gaston County area with Thunder and area lightning( not striking) I was picking my daughter up from work and I told her it would snow on Feb. 28. Well today is Feb. 28 and though it did not snow today it will snow tomorrow. How's that for predicting the weather?

March 1, 2009 12:36 AM

Sonia Alden said:

Here in Wilmington NC it is raining and thundering heavy. My grandma use to say when this would happen it would snow soon. She also said just watch Atlanta Georgia and their weather, we would get the same. I sure hope this is true this time. I would love a good snow fall.

March 1, 2009 10:28 AM

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