Thundersnow explained - the rare weather phenomenon forecast to hit the UK

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for northern parts of the UK as snow and ice hit the North East. The most recently updated warning also alerts of the chance of thundersnow on Tuesday night.

A yellow weather warning was issued after snow showers and a deep frost were forecast to cause icy travel conditions in the North East with a possibility of disruption. North East residents have been warned that the wintry showers alongside overnight ice may make road surfaces unsafe.

If this wasn't enough, there is also the chance of thunder to go alongside the wintry conditions. Most Brits are familiar with normal snowy conditions in winter but what is thundersnow?

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Thundersnow - when snow is accompanied by thunder - is a possibility on Tuesday night and forecasters say it could be accompanied by lightning. Here we take a look in more detail.

What causes thundersnow and how rare is it?

The rare weather phenomenon occurs when thunderstorms - which are much more common in the summer - form in wintry conditions. If the weather is cold, the rain associated with a thunderstorm can fall as snow and is then called thundersnow.

Explaining thundersnow, Eleanor Bell, principal meteorologist of The Weather Channel, previously said: "There needs to be an upward motion for the thunder to develop, warmer air trying to rise under colder air. It is less common than normal thunderstorms because it occurs in the colder months of the year when the air close to the ground is cold enough to produce snow."

Will you hear thunder tonight, and see lightning?

The Met Office says snow showers will develop during Tuesday evening and continue overnight into Wednesday morning, initially in the north before spreading south later in the night. The showers may heavy at times and accompanied by lightning.

Thundersnow is often very atmospheric but if snow is heavy it can dampen the sound of thunder. When thundersnow occurs at night the lightning seems brighter because the lightning reflects off the snowflakes.

Is thundersnow dangerous?

Thundersnow produces heavy snowfall rates of up to 5cm to 10cm per hour. It can severely limit visibility when travelling.

The latest Met Office yellow weather warning of snow and ice for the North East applies on Tuesday evening, overnight and during Wednesday morning. Some lying snow is likely with 2-3 cm in places and a risk of 10 cm or more over higher ground. Ice will readily form on untreated surfaces.