New York City, United States – A rare thundersnow event lit up the sky above Lower Manhattan during the blizzard on the night of February 22–23, 2026.

Lightning struck directly at or near the spire of One World Trade Center, briefly illuminating the tower while heavy snow and strong winds raged across the city. Thunder cracked almost immediately, adding to the intensity of the storm.

A second lightning bolt followed shortly after, forking across the sky and highlighting the falling snow. The footage captured one of winter’s rarest weather phenomena, where thunder and lightning occur amid a heavy snowstorm.

The storm, fueled by a nor’easter, showcased the extreme and unusual conditions that defined the 2026 Blizzard of New York.

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