From uniquely shaped clouds to vibrant colors in the sky, there are numerous captivating weather phenomena that can grab your attention even in the absence of a storm. Whether you are a seasoned skywatcher or simply appreciate the wonders of nature, here are eight intriguing sights to keep an eye out for in the sky during the upcoming year.
In snowy Hudson Bay coast, Churchill, MB, Canada, sun dogs cast a radiant glow behind caribou antlers. These phenomena are pieces of rainbows that shimmer to the left and right of the sun when sunlight filters through thin high-altitude clouds, dispersing light like a prism. Keep watch for these pairs of sun dogs, and if conditions are favorable, you may witness a full halo encircling the sun.
After a thunderstorm in 2025, step outside and gaze skyward for a chance to observe mammatus clouds – cloud formations resembling giant bubbles. Unlike typical clouds that form as air rises, mammatus clouds are created by descending moist air, resulting in their distinctive pouch-like shapes. These clouds are often spotted following intense thunderstorms or near brisk showers.
During moments when the sun is partially obscured by clouds, you might witness crepuscular rays – beams of light that add a dazzling effect to the sky. While many have seen a rainbow arching across the sky during rainfall, witnessing two rainbows simultaneously is a rare treat. Double rainbows are formed when sunlight undergoes two reflections within raindrops, producing a secondary, fainter rainbow.
The mesmerizing aurora borealis, visible multiple times over the United States in 2024, is expected to grace the skies even more in 2025. These stunning light displays are generated by solar activity, offering ample opportunities to witness the northern lights illuminating the night sky.
When admiring the full moons of 2025, keep an eye out for moonbows – nighttime rainbows created by the moon’s light. Moonbows can only be observed in the vicinity of a full moon and require airborne water droplets to form, akin to their daytime counterparts.
Lastly, throughout the year, watch for fogbows – rainbow-like phenomena that are predominantly white but occasionally exhibit subtle hues. These ethereal displays can be seen under specific conditions and add a magical touch to the skies.
A fogbow may be visible when the sun is at a lower position in the sky, so it is advisable to keep an eye out for this natural phenomenon next time you venture outside on a foggy day. A captivating sight of a large lenticular cloud positioned over the peak of Mt. Rainier in Washington State, captured at dusk, is depicted in the photograph. These unique cloud formations, known as lenticular clouds, possess an otherworldly appearance resembling that of a UFO. Their formation is attributed to atmospheric waves. When air currents encounter a mountain, they are propelled upwards and over the terrain, resulting in the creation of lenticular clouds. Predominantly found in the western United States, particularly in the vicinity of Mount Rainier, these clouds can materialize in any location provided the environmental conditions are conducive.
