Footsteps in the snow leads to explosions, in a comical sense (4)
I believe the answer is:
fits
'explosions in a comical sense' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?
'footsteps in the snow leads' is the wordplay.
'leads' says to take the initial letters.
The first letters of 'footsteps in the snow' is 'FITS'.
'to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for fits that I've seen before include "short bouts" , "Seizures" , "crises once" , "Sudden uncontrollable attacks" , "Prepares" .)