Many across Southeast Texas trying to get a glimpse of the winter weather Monday witnessed a rare weather phenomenon -- thunder sleet!
12News StormTracker Chief Meteorologist was out checking weather conditions when he caught the thunder sleet on camera.
And he wasn't alone.
12News got reports across the Golden Triangle about the thunder sleet.
So what is it?
Thunder sleet is similar to thundersnow -- it's caused by an increase in elevated convective energy. All of this energy is called instability and is a lifting mechanism to produce lightning and thunder.
This is the same thing that happens during those spring and summer thunderstorms. But what makes thunder sleet (and snow) rare is that warm layer forms during cold weather events to create the rare sights and sounds!
. It has been cloudy for the past week and the temps remain in the 10's - 30's range. I am both delighted and concerned. I don't mind cold cuz can always bundle up and add more layering, but dagnabit! I have two frozen garden beds and My potted kumquat tree is looking very uncomfortable, heh. When this "blows" over, I'm planting My arse off! 