Analysis of Thundersnow Mixed-phase Regions in the New England Nor’Easters of March 2018

This study focuses on the many thundersnow reports during the four Nor’Easters that impacted the east coast of the United States from March 1^st to 22^nd. Even though thundersnow occurrences are rare, they still pose a threat to the general public since they can produce cloud to ground lightning strikes. Reports were concentrated to within approximately 50 miles of the coast of New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Connecticut for most cases. ASOS data from the NOAA CLASS system are used to document timing and location of the thundersnow events. Based on the thundersnow locations, GOES-16 geostationary lightning mapper (GLM) and NEXRAD level II radar data are collected. By analyzing these products in GRAnalyst, distinct features associated with increased lightning activity within heavy snow are observed.