Heavy thundersnow delighted a storm chaser in Hamburg, New York - about 10 miles south of Buffalo – in the early hours of Thursday, December 12, as lake-effect snow slammed the region.X user @weather_buffalo captured this footage of himself standing outside in blizzard-like conditions. He can be seen throwing a snowball at the camera and, as if on cue, lightning flashes and a crash of thunder can be heard.According to the National Weather Service (NWS), thundersnow is a “rare weather phenomenon” that occurs when there is “relatively strong instability and abundant moisture above the surface of the Earth.”The NWS forecast severe weather for the region into Friday, with the storm bringing up to 3 inches of snow per hour near Buffalo. The weather service warned of near whiteout conditions and major impacts to travel and society. Credit: @weather_buffalo via Storyful