Lightning and thunder

OBSERVATION: We experienced thunder and lightning this morning. We've been having some winter weather this month. This morning just before 6AM thunder started, then between 6-7 AM we had about 6 lightning flashes following with thunder. "I woke up to what sounded like really loud wind and hail smacking the window, come to find out it was thunder." It is a rare occurrence for this area. One community member said lightning hit his house.

LEO COMMENT: Changing climate has been associated with increases in extreme weather in Alaska including thunder and lightening. The increases in lightening strikes and record lightening strikes during the summer of 2015 is a good example. The National Weather Service has an extreme and unusual weather observer network called Storm Spotter. You can learn more, follow this link toStorm Spotter. According to the website: Severe Weather Spotters are a vital link in the timely and accurate flow of weather information into and out of weather forecast offices. Storm Spotter training is available to the public as conducted by the local NOAA/NWS Forecast Office on an annual scheduled basis. LEO will share this observation with the National Weather Service.