{"id":12062,"date":"2026-11-04T04:01:19","date_gmt":"2026-11-04T03:01:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brokenmount.com\/bm\/2026\/11\/04\/triple-lightning-over-nyc-and-a-tornado-weather-photographer-of-the-year-2026-finalists\/"},"modified":"2026-11-04T04:01:19","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T03:01:19","slug":"triple-lightning-over-nyc-and-a-tornado-weather-photographer-of-the-year-2026-finalists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brokenmount.com\/bm\/2026\/11\/04\/triple-lightning-over-nyc-and-a-tornado-weather-photographer-of-the-year-2026-finalists\/","title":{"rendered":"Triple lightning over NYC and a tornado: Weather Photographer of the Year 2026 finalists"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\tSelected from more than 5,500 entries across 13 countries, the 30 shortlisted images include wildfires, floods and retreating glaciers. Vote for your Public Favorite by November 5.<\/p>\n

\"AWilliam Huxley Eades<\/span><\/figure>\n<\/section>\n
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The Royal Meteorological Society<\/a> has revealed the 30 finalists for its Weather Photographer of the Year 2026 competition, and now it needs your help to pick one of the winners.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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The 30 images, selected from more than 5,500 entries, were captured in 13 countries and range from a rare triple lightning strike over New York City to rime ice \u201chearts\u201d on a Slovakian mountain fence, as well as striking scenes of wildfires, floods and retreating glaciers.<\/p>\n

Now in its second decade, the competition drew photographers from Patagonia to Northern Ireland. Professor Liz Bentley, Chief Executive of the Royal Meteorological Society and one of the judges, explains, \u201cThis competition continues to show us just how powerful photography can be in connecting people with weather and our changing climate. The incredible images shortlisted this year don\u2019t just showcase the breathtaking, dramatic beauty of our skies, they also serve as a critical reminder of the impacts of climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n

The judges will select the category winners, but the \u201cPublic Favourite\u201c is up to you. To vote, visit the shortlist gallery<\/a>, click \u201cview photo\u201d on your picks, and cast your vote. Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. GMT on November 5, 2026. Winners will be announced on November 17, 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Mares de Niebla (Seas of Mist)<\/h2>\n
\"Clouds<\/a>Francisco Bail\u00f3n Rodr\u00edguez<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Francisco Bailon Rodriguez
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Albercutz Watchtower, Mallorca, Spain<\/p>\n

Taken from the Albercutz Watchtower in Mallorca, Spain, looking towards the Formentor Peninsula, this stunning image captures the first light of dawn illuminating the fog below. As Francisco Bailon Rodriguez recalls, \u201cit was sunrise and we had experienced several days of anticyclonic weather and nights with high humidity\u201d.<\/p>\n

Those conditions were ideal for creating the large areas of fog and low cloud that blanketed the landscape. Under persistent high pressure, air slowly sinks and warms as it descends, often creating a temperature inversion. This is when warmer air sits above cooler air near the surface, acting like a lid and limiting the amount of vertical mixing. With light winds, high humidity and clear skies, the ground loses heat through radiation overnight, cooling the air above it to its dew point. Water vapor then condenses into tiny water droplets, forming fog.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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The rugged terrain helped shape this scene. A southwesterly wind pushed the low cloud towards the steep cliffs, where the cooler, denser air could only flow downhill under gravity. As the fog spills over the ridges, it creates the appearance of a waterfall flowing into the sea below.<\/p>\n

Judge Angela Nicholson explains that \u201cthere\u2019s a fabulous sense of flow in this image. The clouds are transformed into a river flowing over the cliffs. Francisco\u2019s choice of exposure has captured the movement of the clouds perfectly below a beautiful sky with subtle color transitions\u201d.<\/p>\n

Sunrise and Morning Glow<\/h2>\n
\"Long,<\/a>Weilu Chen<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Weilu Chen
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Pearl River Delta, China<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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As the sun rose over the Hong Kong Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the morning sky was transformed into a spectacular display of golden light. Captured by Weilu Chen, the 55-kilometer-long bridge stretches across the Pearl River Delta beneath a broken layer of cloud, while rays of sunlight appear to fan outwards from the horizon. Judge Kevin Thomas notes: \u201cThis image gives a wonderful lead through the various points of interest from the suspended roadway to the bridge and then the magnificent display of crepuscular rays\u201d.<\/p>\n

Crepuscular rays are a phenomenon often seen when the Sun is low in the sky. They form when clouds or other objects block part of the Sun\u2019s light, casting long shadows through the atmosphere. Sunlight streams through gaps in the clouds, made more visible by particles such as dust in the air, creating the bright rays separated by darker bands of shadow.<\/p>\n

The golden colors are another result of the Sun\u2019s position. When the Sun sits close to the horizon, its light travels through a much greater thickness of the atmosphere than it does around midday. Along the way, tiny air molecules scatter shorter blue and violet wavelengths more effectively than longer red and orange wavelengths. By the time the light reaches our eyes, warmer colors dominate, painting the clouds and landscape in shades of gold.<\/p>\n

The calm water below adds another layer to the scene, catching the sunlight and extending its glow across the estuary.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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A Supercell in the Sandhills of Nebraska<\/h2>\n
\"Lightning<\/a>Laura Hedien<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Laura Hedien
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Sandhills, Nebraska, USA<\/p>\n

While out storm chasing in the Nebraska sandhills, USA, \u201cMother Nature was kind enough to give us a supercell and lightning at night\u201d, explains Laura Hedien.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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A brilliant lightning strike illuminates the lake below, stretching from the storm cloud towards the ground. The sudden flash also reveals the structure of the towering supercell thunderstorm, which would otherwise be hidden. As described by Judge Kevin Thomas, it is \u201can unusual image that captures a moment when lightning bisects a storm cloud. The picture is beautifully lit by the flash, which picks out the detail of the cloud\u201d.<\/p>\n

The flash also reveals a distinctive feature protruding from the front of the storm. An arcus cloud. These long, thin and low-level clouds are associated with thunderstorms and can take the form of shelf clouds or roll clouds. In this image, a shelf cloud extends along the storm\u2019s leading edge.<\/p>\n

Shelf clouds form when cool air descends from the thunderstorm and spreads outwards along the ground. This outflow pushes warmer, moist air ahead of the storm upwards, where it cools and condenses to form the cloud\u2019s distinctive structure. Although the shelf cloud itself is not usually associated with rain, heavy showers and potentially strong, gusty winds follow behind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Sunset Supercell<\/h2>\n
\"A<\/a>William Huxley Eades<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0William Huxley Eades
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia<\/p>\n

As sunset approached over Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia, a towering supercell engulfed the sky, with \u201cits sculpted cloud structure stretching across the sky as the rain core glows in golden light\u201d, says William Huxley Eades. The dramatic contrast between the storm\u2019s dark, layered clouds and the warm colors of the setting sun makes this a striking capture of one of the atmosphere\u2019s most powerful displays.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had been tracking the supercell as it moved towards Australia\u2019s east coast\u201d, explains William. \u201cThis storm approached from the west, and as it drew nearer, we could see its radar signature grow into a huge system\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Supercells are a type of thunderstorm distinguished by a persistent rotating updraft, which is a rising column of air that helps the storm maintain its organization for much longer than many ordinary thunderstorms. They can produce severe weather, including intense rainfall, damaging winds, large hail, and sometimes tornadoes. Their powerful, organized airflows can also create striking cloud formations, with curved bands and layered structures, as seen in this image.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe couldn\u2019t believe our luck with the timing\u201d, says William. \u201cI have chased storms for 12 years and have seen many supercells, but this combination of structure, light, and color was something special indeed\u201d.<\/p>\n

Close Enough<\/h2>\n
\"A<\/a>William Huxley Eades<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0William Huxley Eades
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Near Akron, Colorado, USA<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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On 23 May 2025, a powerful supercell thunderstorm near Akron, Colorado, USA, produced three tornadoes. For storm chaser William Huxley Eades, after years of near misses, this was the first tornado he had ever witnessed. \u201cWatching it descend from the rotating supercell was one of the most exhilarating and profound moments of my life\u201d, he recalls.<\/p>\n

The scale of the tornado shown here is difficult to comprehend at first glance. Look closely, however, and the headlights of a nearby car reveal just how enormous the swirling column really is. This tornado was rated EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which classifies tornadoes according to the damage they cause.<\/p>\n

Tornadoes can form when several ingredients come together. Warm, moist air near the ground provides energy for rising air, while cooler, drier air higher up can create instability. There also needs to be vertical wind shear, which is a change in wind speed and\/or direction with height.<\/p>\n

In a supercell, a persistent updraft can tilt the rotating air from being horizontal to vertical, causing a large, rotating column of air to develop. If a rotating column of air extends down from the storm and reaches the surface, it is then classified as a tornado. However, not every rotating supercell produces a tornado, and the precise processes that allow a tornado to form are still being researched.<\/p>\n

This storm was particularly active, producing two other tornadoes. Reports from the day included hailstones exceeding 3 inches across, roughly the size of a baseball.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Triple Strike in NYC<\/h2>\n
\"Lightning<\/a>Dan Martland<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Dan Martland
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Bayonne, New Jersey, USA<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Talk about being in the right place at the right time. From Bayonne, New Jersey, USA, Dan Martland captured this spectacular scene overlooking the New York City skyline, as three lightning strikes lit the sky above the city.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was watching the cells build using RadarScope and I actually thought it was going to miss New York City on this occasion\u201d, explains Dan. \u201cBut this bolt came out of nowhere. My trusty lighting trigger managed to fire my camera which was framed up and pointing in the right direction.\u201d<\/p>\n

August in New York is typically hot and humid, providing the ingredients for powerful thunderstorms. Warm, moist air rises, cools, and condenses to form towering cumulonimbus clouds. Inside these clouds, strong updrafts and downdrafts occur in close proximity. Updrafts transport water droplets high into the atmosphere, meanwhile downdrafts transport hail and ice towards the surface. When these collide, electrical charges build up and separate. When the difference in charge becomes large enough, the atmosphere releases that energy in a spectacular flash of lightning.<\/p>\n

Cloud-to-ground lightning, like the ones captured here, develop through a rapid sequence of electrical events. An invisible channel of negative charge, known as a stepped leader, zigzags downwards from the cloud. As it approaches the ground, upward-reaching channels of positive charge, called streamers, can rise from the highest objects in the area. When the channels connect, a powerful electrical current surges through the path, traveling at about 60,000 miles per second, producing the brilliant flashes we see.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Midnight Sunbeams over Reine<\/h2>\n
\"A<\/a>Vit Javorik<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Vit Javorik
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Reine, Lofoten, Norway<\/p>\n

High above the fjords of Reine in Norway\u2019s Lofoten archipelago, sunlight pours between the jagged mountain peaks and into the fjord basin below. But what you might not expect is that this photo was actually taken at midnight. During the Arctic summer, the Sun can remain above the horizon around the clock, bathing the landscape in a golden glow long after most of the world has fallen dark.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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This phenomenon is known as the midnight sun. North of the Arctic Circle, the Earth tilts towards the Sun during summer, meaning the Sun does not dip below the horizon for days, weeks, or even months at a time, depending on the latitude. Rather than the familiar cycle of sunrise, sunset, and darkness, the region experiences an extended period of daylight, with the Sun tracing a low path across the sky.<\/p>\n

For this photo, Vit Javorik \u201cflew a drone and posed for the shot.\u201d He \u201cclimbed the Reinebringen twice in the day, yet waited until midnight for the right conditions, but it was all worth it for this shot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vit\u2019s presence in the frame offers a sense of scale, showing just how small we are against the vastness of the natural world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Heaven from Earth<\/h2>\n
\"Sunlight<\/a>Satt Pai Htun<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Satt Pai Htun
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Taungoo, Myanmar<\/p>\n

As the morning sun rose over Taungoo, Myanmar, a layer of cloud spilled through the mountain valleys, leaving the hilltops appearing to float above a soft white blanket. Rays of light broke through the stratocumulus clouds above, illuminating the landscape and creating this breathtaking scene.<\/p>\n

This spectacular view is the result of a temperature inversion. Under typical atmospheric conditions, air temperature decreases with altitude, but during a temperature inversion, this pattern is reversed. In January, Myanmar is influenced by the northeast monsoon, which brings cooler, drier winter weather. The associated high-pressure conditions can favor clear skies and light winds, allowing the land to cool overnight. As air near the surface becomes colder and denser, it can settle into the valleys, while warmer air above acts like a lid, limiting vertical mixing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Overnight, the hills lose heat, cooling the air close to the ground. When this air becomes saturated, moisture condenses into tiny water droplets, forming fog that settles into the valley. The inversion helps keep the fog trapped beneath the warmer air, creating the appearance of a vast ocean of cloud, with the peaks rising like islands above.<\/p>\n

As Satt Pai Htun explains, the photo \u201chighlights the quiet beauty of nature and the dynamic relationship between atmospheric clouds and morning light.\u201d<\/p>\n

An Oklahoma Light Show<\/h2>\n
\"Supercell<\/a>Laura Hedien<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Laura Hedien
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Oklahoma, USA<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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While out storm chasing, Laura Hedien was able to capture this terrifying shot. Stretching across the horizon, a vast, swirling supercell dominates the Great Plains of Oklahoma, USA. Beneath it, a long road leads towards the storm, while the last light of the day sets.<\/p>\n

Oklahoma lies within the Great Plains, a region of the central United States known for its extreme weather. During late spring and early summer, warm, moist air flowing north from the Gulf of Mexico can meet cooler, drier air moving south from Canada or east from the Rocky Mountains. This collision of contrasting air masses creates the ideal conditions for atmospheric instability, fueling severe thunderstorms, large hail, and tornadoes across the region. When these storms form in areas of strong vertical wind shear, they can develop into supercells.<\/p>\n

Unlike ordinary thunderstorms, supercells contain a persistent rotating updraft, known as a mesocyclone, which helps organize and sustain the storm.<\/p>\n

As daylight fades, lightning briefly illuminates the storm, revealing its immense scale and intricate structure. The contrast on either side of the road, with the peaceful yellow sunlight and the violent lightning strikes and dark cloud perfectly captures both the beauty and the power of supercells in the Great Plains.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Mount Shasta Top Hat at Sunset<\/h2>\n
\"Snow-capped<\/a>Lisa K. Kuhn<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Lisa K. Kuhn
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Mount Shasta, California, USA<\/p>\n

With its smooth, stacked layers glowing in the evening light, this lenticular cloud looks almost as though Mount Shasta has dressed up for the occasion. Located in northern California, USA, the 14,000-foot volcano is a well-known spot for these striking cloud formations, which can resemble giant saucers, stacks of pancakes, or even classic UFO imagery.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Lisa Kuhn had already been photographing the mountain when she decided to head out again for a better view. \u201cI dropped my husband and our dog off at home, grabbed my tripod and headed to the end of the street for a better view of the mountain. I was surprised to see the lovely outcome of the photo with the smooth layers on the front of the cloud,\u201d she recalls.<\/p>\n

Despite their otherworldly appearance, lenticular clouds have a simple meteorological explanation. When moist, stable air flows towards a mountain, it is forced upwards and over, before sinking again on the other side. As the air rises, it cools and water vapor condenses into clouds. As it descends, it warms and the cloud evaporates. This can happen repeatedly as air flows through mountain waves, allowing a cloud to remain in roughly the same position, even while air moves through it.<\/p>\n

When the atmosphere contains several moist layers, lenticular clouds can form at different heights, creating the stacked appearance seen here.<\/p>\n

While these formations have inspired plenty of UFO stories, Lisa saw something a little different: Mount Shasta wearing a \u201ctop hat.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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A Winter Morning<\/h2>\n
\"Golden<\/a>Aung Soe Min<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Aung Soe Min
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Kuthodaw Pagoda, Myanmar<\/p>\n

A calm winter morning reveals Kuthodaw Pagoda rising through the mist and fog. Aung Soe Min captured the sun rays filtering across the landscape, creating a beautiful sunrise that captures the warmth of the weather and the peaceful serenity of this sacred site in Myanmar.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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\u201cThis image stood out from the very first viewing,\u201d explains Judge Dennis Oswald. \u201cThe central pagoda, rising calmly above the treetops, gives the eye a clear anchor, while the layered planes of fog, trees and distant buildings create a remarkable sense of depth. The warm, almost monochrome palette lends the scene a quiet, timeless mood, and the composition feels balanced without ever looking staged. It is a photograph that rewards a longer look and conveys the feeling of being present at that exact moment. It is a mastery of light, depth and emotional pull.\u201d<\/p>\n

Myanmar experiences a cool, dry season during the winter months, with daytime highs of almost 30\u00b0C and nighttime lows of 15\u00b0C, with virtually no rain. The mist may have formed as the ground cooled overnight. As the air close to the surface cools to its dew point, water vapor condenses into tiny, suspended droplets, creating mist. As the sun rises, its light passes through these droplets, scattering and softening the light, producing the soft glow seen here.<\/p>\n

A Rainbow over Loch Duck<\/h2>\n
\"Rainbow<\/a>Anthony Bird<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Anthony Bird
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Loch Duck, Scotland<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Framed by the rolling hills and water below, a magnificent rainbow arches across the landscape of Loch Duck, Scotland. The scene caught Anthony Bird\u2019s eye so quickly that there was barely time to think, as he simply had to \u201crun outside the Airbnb\u201d to capture it.<\/p>\n

Rainbows appear when sunlight meets water droplets suspended in the atmosphere. As sunlight enters each droplet, it bends in a process called refraction. The light is then reflected off the inside of the droplet before bending again as it exits. During this journey, the different wavelengths of visible light separate, spreading white sunlight into the familiar spectrum of colors.<\/p>\n

Red light emerges at a slightly different angle from violet light, giving a primary rainbow its characteriztic sequence of colors, with red on the outside and violet on the inside. The light reaching our eyes comes from droplets at particular angles relative to the Sun and the observer. This is why no two people see precisely the same rainbow, as each observer sees light from a different collection of droplets.<\/p>\n

Judge Kevin Thomas praised the photo\u2019s composition, noting: \u201cA perfect 180-degree rainbow with a majestic background of the Scottish Highlands. The foreground interest perfectly complements the image\u2019s construction.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Before the Downpour<\/h2>\n
\"Dark,<\/a>Lee Chun Hong<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Lee Chun Hong
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong<\/p>\n

A vast blanket of dark, rolling clouds stretches across Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong, looming over the city\u2019s skyline. The water below appears relatively calm, but the dramatic cloud formations hint at the turbulent weather approaching. Captured on a phone, Lee Chun Hong\u2019s photo shows the moment when the sky offers a warning of what is to come.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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The clouds\u2019 layered, rippling appearance towers over the buildings and islands beneath them. Their dark underside blocks much of the sunlight, casting the harbor into an eerie, muted light. Parts of the cloud base have a turbulent, wave-like appearance, resembling asperitas clouds.<\/p>\n

Such dramatic skies can accompany approaching thunderstorms, including squall lines. These are bands of thunderstorms that can stretch for hundreds of miles, but are typically only 10 to 20 miles wide, bringing heavy rain and sudden, strong gusts of wind. They often develop where warm, moist air meets cooler air, while differences in wind speed and direction with height help shape the storms. The cool air spreading out from the squall line also lifts warmer air ahead of the storm, helping new storm cells to develop along the line.<\/p>\n

The image captures the dramatic skies that can precede a summer downpour, as the city waits beneath.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Lakeland Rainbow<\/h2>\n
\"A<\/a>Mat Robinson<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Mat Robinson
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Lake District, England<\/p>\n

After a long walk in the Lake District, England, Mat Robinson spotted distant rain falling over the Pennines, while dark clouds drifted overhead. Sensing the changing weather, he turned to his partner and announced that \u201csomething good\u2019s about to happen.\u201d His prediction paid off, with the perfect conditions producing a spectacular double rainbow.<\/p>\n

Rainbows form when sunlight enters raindrops, bends as it refracts, and reflects off the inside of each droplet before emerging again. In a primary rainbow, the light undergoes one internal reflection. A secondary rainbow forms when light reflects twice inside the droplet, creating a second, larger arc outside the first.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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That extra reflection makes the secondary rainbow fainter, as more of the light is lost along the way. It also reverses the order of the colors.<\/p>\n

You may notice a darker band of sky between the two arcs, known as Alexander\u2019s band. The primary rainbow appears at an angle of roughly 40-42 degrees from the point directly opposite the sun, while the secondary rainbow appears at around 50-53 degrees. The sky between the two rainbows appears darker because the raindrops cannot scatter light into this area, meaning less light reaches the eyes of the observer.<\/p>\n

Mat\u2019s patience and instinct for the weather paid off, capturing two colorful rainbows that frame the fells.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Ice Hearts<\/h2>\n
\"Thick<\/a>Dominika Koszowska<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Dominika Koszowska
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Bachledova dolina, Slovakia<\/p>\n

After witnessing a spectacular sunrise in \u0141apszanka, Poland, Dominika Koszowska\u2019s winter adventure had another surprise in store. During a treetop walk in Bachledova dolina, Slovakia, at nearly 1,200 meters above sea level, she noticed a safety wire mesh that had been transformed by a thick coating of hard, white rime ice. Delicate, repeating patterns had formed across the metal, resembling rows of frozen hearts.<\/p>\n

Rime ice is a winter phenomenon, turning everyday objects into intricate natural sculptures. Wind can drive supercooled water droplets into surfaces that are below freezing. On impact, the droplets freeze, gradually building up a coating of ice on the windward side. These conditions often occur in freezing fog, particularly at higher elevations where cloud droplets meet exposed surfaces.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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The mesh in the image provided a ready-made frame for the ice to grow around, creating a repeating geometric pattern that made the frozen formations look almost deliberately arranged. Dominika was captivated and \u201cinstantly had to capture\u201d the unusual sight.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis dynamic process of atmospheric physics transformed an ordinary fence into a fragile, white art gallery,\u201d she says. \u201cThe contrast between the geometric order of the crystals and the deep blue sky reveals the extraordinary power and subtlety of nature.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Midsummer Night\u2019s Dream<\/h2>\n
\"Electric<\/a>Rachel Cassidy<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Rachel Cassidy
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0North Sperrins, Northern Ireland<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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On a balmy June evening in the North Sperrins, Northern Ireland, Rachel Cassidy witnessed \u201cthe most beautiful, dream-like midsummer night skyline,\u201d where the \u201csky became alive, like an ocean of silvery waves moving across the skyline.\u201d<\/p>\n

What can be seen in the image are noctilucent clouds, the highest clouds in Earth\u2019s atmosphere, which glow in blue or silver hues when illuminated by the sun below the horizon. They form roughly 80 to 85 kilometers above Earth\u2019s surface, in the mesosphere, far above normal weather clouds.<\/p>\n

They consist of tiny ice crystals that form around microscopic dust particles left behind by micrometeorites falling to Earth from space, or the dust left over from volcanic eruptions. These ice crystals reflect the sunlight, causing the clouds\u2019 characteriztic shimmer.<\/p>\n

Noctilucent clouds only appear during the summer months, and only at latitudes between 45 and 80 degrees north or south of the equator. As the Sun only just sets below the horizon, these clouds can still be lit by the sunlight.<\/p>\n

\u201cNoctilucent cloud sightings are a challenging phenomenon to predict, so I was delighted to have managed to capture such a bright, outstanding display.\u201d Taken on just a phone, Rachel let \u201cMother Nature provide all the drama needed without unnecessary filters or enhancements.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Sunrise<\/h2>\n
\"Silhouetted<\/a>Pyae Phyo Aung<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Pyae Phyo Aung
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0U Bein Bridge, Mandalay, Myanmar<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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As the Sun rose over U Bein Bridge in Mandalay, Myanmar, the sky burst into shades of gold and orange, illuminating the hundreds of small altocumulus clouds. As this historic bridge, widely recognized as the world\u2019s oldest and longest teakwood bridge, stretches into the distance, its silhouette and passing figures are reflected in the still water below.<\/p>\n

Altocumulus form in the middle levels of the atmosphere (2,000 to 6,000 meters). Their small, rounded appearance in distinctive rows gives the sky an almost patterned appearance.<\/p>\n

Some of these patterns are created by convection cells within the cloud layer. When a layer of relatively warm, moist air lies beneath cooler air, the warmer air tends to rise because it is more buoyant. As it rises, cooler air sinks to replace it, creating a repeating pattern of rising and sinking air. Altocumulus therefore form where the air rises and the gaps that separates them appear where it sinks.<\/p>\n

At sunrise, these clouds are particularly striking, as the low Sun illuminates them from below, highlighting them in glowing shades of orange and gold.<\/p>\n

Captured on a mobile phone, Pyae Phyo Aung\u2019s photo shows how an ordinary landscape can reveal an extraordinary meeting of clouds, light and reflection.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Thoughts in Rain<\/h2>\n
\"Reflection<\/a>Hong Jin<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Hong Jin
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Wuhan, China<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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A passer-by becomes a dark silhouette in a puddle of rippling reflections, as their shape is distorted by raindrops falling onto the pavement. Captured by Hong Jin on a rainy day in July in Wuhan, China, this image offers a glimpse into the city\u2019s summer, when sudden downpours can transform the streets.<\/p>\n

Wuhan lies in central China and has a subtropical climate, characterized by hot summers, high humidity, and substantial summer rainfall. The combination of intense surface heating and abundant moisture can help fuel thunderstorms, which can bring sudden, heavy bursts of rain.<\/p>\n

Summer rainfall in the region is also influenced by the East Asian summer monsoon, which transports moist air from the South China Sea and surrounding tropical regions towards eastern and central China. Although it forms part of the wider Asian monsoon along with the Indian monsoon, it has its own distinctive pattern. Rather than spreading northwards steadily, its rain belt advances in stages. Rain arrives first over parts of Southeast Asia from May, before shifting towards the Yangtze River Basin, including the Wuhan region, around June. Later in the summer, the rain belt moves further north towards northern China and Korea.<\/p>\n

This progression brings periods of persistent rain as well as intense downpours. Its timing and strength vary from year to year, influenced by ocean temperatures and atmospheric circulation patterns.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Loch Linnhe<\/h2>\n
\"Red<\/a>Colin Black<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Colin Black
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Loch Linnhe, Scotland<\/p>\n

Looking towards the frost-covered hills surrounding Loch Linnhe, Scotland, Colin Black \u201cwrapped up against the cold\u201d to capture this stunning shot, where a thin layer of fog appears to hover above the scene.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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The fog almost seems suspended, creating a striking horizontal bar across the landscape. One possible explanation lies in the contrast between the temperature of the water and the surrounding air. During the winter, the air is very cold, and while the water is too, it is relatively warmer because it has a much higher specific heat capacity, causing it to cool more slowly. The water then heats a very thin layer of air immediately above it. As the cold, foggy air tries to sink down, it encounters this slightly warmer air, causing the fog droplets to evaporate. This creates a clear, fog-free gap above the waterline.<\/p>\n

A temperature inversion can also help explain the fog\u2019s upper edge. Normally, air temperature decreases with height, but during an inversion, warmer air sits above colder air near the surface. This arrangement limits vertical mixing, helping to stop the fog from spreading upwards. Changes in temperature and moisture can therefore create these boundaries between clear air and mist.<\/p>\n

The muted pastel colors of the sky provide a beautiful contrast with the red passenger ferry sailing down the loch. Against the stillness of the mist and frost-covered hills, the ferry offers a splash of color, capturing the quiet beauty of a Scottish winter morning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Misty Sunrise over the Long Coc Tea Hills<\/h2>\n
\"Sunlight<\/a>Mahmudul Hassan<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Mahmudul Hasan
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Long Coc, Vietnam<\/p>\n

Captured in the delicate light of dawn, this breathtaking photo reveals the rolling tea hills of Long Coc, Vietnam, emerging through layers of mist.<\/p>\n

Waking up at 3 am, Mahmudul Hasan ventured out through the darkness to reach the viewpoint. His early start paid off as the first rays of sunlight spread across the landscape, the hills appear to rise and fall like waves, creating a scene that look like a painting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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\u201cThis magical moment evokes a deep sense of tranquility, awe, and the timeless beauty of this agricultural masterpiece,\u201d says Mahmudul. The region is renowned for its hundreds of tea hills, cultivated by local farming communities. Tea growing is an important part of the local livelihoods, with harvesting and plantation care requiring close attention to seasonal weather conditions.<\/p>\n

However, the future of tea farming in the region faces growing challenges from a changing climate. A warmer atmosphere can accommodate more water vapor, increasing the potential for more intense rainfall. In northern Vietnam, heavier downpours can increase the risk of soil erosion and landslides, damaging tea plants, washing away nutrient-rich soil and threatening the land that farming communities depend on. Adapting to changing rainfall patterns will be increasingly important for protecting both crops and livelihoods.<\/p>\n

\u201cWitnessing this ethereal transformation filled me with an overwhelming sense of peace, wonder, and deep accomplishment,\u201d says Mahmudul. \u201cThis moment beautifully reflects the raw magic of early morning light and the dedication behind capturing nature\u2019s finest spectacles.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Nature meets Energy<\/h2>\n
\"A<\/a>Sonia Turkington<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Sonia Turkington
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Ingoldmells, Skegness, England<\/p>\n

Off the coast of Ingoldmells, Skegness, England, wind turbines stand against the changing Lincolnshire sky. In this striking image, Sonia Turkington captured a moment where the natural atmosphere and human technology share the spotlight. The vivid rainbow stretching across the frame provides a dramatic backdrop for the rows of turbines, creating an image that feels both peaceful and powerful.<\/p>\n

Wind turbines make use of the same natural forces that shape our weather. Wind forms due to pressure differences in the Earth\u2019s atmosphere, primarily caused by temperature differences. The Sun heats the Earth\u2019s surface unevenly, creating areas of high and low pressure. Air then moves from areas of high pressure to those of low pressure, and this movement of large air masses is what we call wind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Turbine blades capture some of this kinetic energy, converting it into electricity. For the UK, wind has become a major part of the electricity system. Great Britain now has more than 32 GW of operational wind capacity across onshore and offshore wind farms, with over 26 million homes powered by wind in 2025.<\/p>\n

For Sonia, however, the photograph is about more than renewable energy. \u201cThe combination gives the image a quiet symbolism of nature and technology sitting in harmony rather than conflict,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n

Fire<\/h2>\n
\"A<\/a>Erfan Samanfar<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Erfan Samanfar
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Marvdasht, Iran<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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From Marvdasht, Iran, in October 2025, Erfan Samanfar captured a striking image of a farmer attempting to protect their land as fire spreads across the landscape.<\/p>\n

Wildfires need three basic ingredients: a source of heat or ignition, fuel, and oxygen. While climate change does not necessarily provide the initial spark, rising temperatures and changes in rainfall can create conditions in which fires ignite more easily, spread faster, and become more difficult to control. Longer periods of hot and dry weather can remove moisture from vegetation and soils, leaving grass, crops and other plant material highly flammable.<\/p>\n

This can be particularly damaging for farmers. Fast-moving fires can destroy crops within minutes, while livestock and farming infrastructure can also be at risk. And the impacts do not necessarily end when the flames are extinguished. Losing vegetation can leave soils exposed to wind and water erosion, while the intense heat of the fire can alter soil properties and reduce its ability to support future plant growth.<\/p>\n

For farmers already dealing with increasing heat and rainfall extremes, wildfires add another layer of risk. The image captures not only the immediate threat posed by the flames, but also the wider challenge of protecting crops, livestock and livelihoods as climate change alters the conditions in which farming takes place.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Castles in the Wind<\/h2>\n
\"Large<\/a>Andres Miraglia<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Andres Miraglia
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Paradise Harbour, Antarctica<\/p>\n

As an iceberg drifted away from the glacier that released it in Antarctica\u2019s Paradise Harbour, Andres Miraglia captured the moment against a pristine sunset. This is \u201cParadise Harbour being Paradise Harbour,\u201d he explains, with the towering ice and evening light creating a striking contrast with the dark ocean below.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Icebergs like this are a natural part of the Antarctic landscape, created when pieces of glacier break away in a process known as calving. Once separated, they can drift with the ocean currents and winds, gradually melting as they travel through warmer waters.<\/p>\n

While a single iceberg is not evidence of climate change, it poses as a stark reminder of how climate change is affecting the region. The Antarctic Peninsula is one of the fastest-warming regions on Earth. In some locations, temperatures have risen by around 3\u00b0C since the 1950s.<\/p>\n

Glaciers are constantly in motion, with seasonal melting and growth being part of their natural cycle. Across Antarctic, some areas are losing ice rapidly, while others may be gaining ice through increased snowfall. However, surveys of the Antarctic Ice Sheet as a whole show that it is in decline, and has been for decades, with the largest losses of ice occurring in West Antarctica. Between 2002 and 2023, Antarctica lost an average of around 150 billion tonnes of ice each year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Reflections with little water<\/h2>\n
\"Small<\/a>Emili Vilamala Benito<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Emili Vilamala Benito
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Sau Reservoir, Catalonia, Spain<\/p>\n

Usually, only the tip of the bell tower of Sant Rom\u00e0 de Sau can be seen rising above the water in the Sau Reservoir, Catalonia, Spain. In this image, however, the reservoir had fallen so far that the entire church stood exposed.<\/p>\n

The village of Sant Rom\u00e0 de Sau dates back to the tenth century and was intentionally flooded in 1962 to create the reservoir on the Ter River. The 23-meter-tall church was the only building left, becoming the oldest standing submerged church in the world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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In February 2024, when Emili Vilamala Benito captured this image, Catalonia was facing a prolonged and severe drought. The regional government declared a drought emergency, with water reserves in the Sau reservoir dropping to less than 6% of its capacity. \u201cFor the past two years, the Sau reservoir has maintained a very good water level,\u201d explains Emili. \u201cHowever, prior to these two years, the reservoir was almost empty. And for the last few years, it has typically been quite low.\u201d<\/p>\n

Droughts are more common in some parts of the world than others, but climate change is increasing the likelihood of hotter and drier conditions, particularly across the Mediterranean. The result is greater pressure on already limited water resources.<\/p>\n

In this image, low reservoir levels have brought an old church back into view, turning a simple landscape into a powerful reminder of the impacts of a changing climate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Life on the Flooded Edge<\/h2>\n
\"Aerial<\/a>Azim Khan Ronnie<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Azim Khan Ronnie
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Kishoreganj, Bangladesh<\/p>\n

From above, a densely inhabited community in Kishoreganj, Bangladesh, appears almost like an island, with its colorful rooftops and greenery contrasting the surrounding water. This is not an island, but a community in the wetlands, where flooding is a familiar part of life which has increasingly been putting homes and livelihoods at risk.<\/p>\n

For generations, people living in these low-lying regions have adapted to the seasonal rise and fall of the water. When floodwaters retreat, the exposed land provides rich grazing for cattle, while farmers grow rice during the dry season. As the water returns, the wetlands become important breeding grounds for fish. To protect their homes from seasonal flooding, families build them on raised mounds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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However, intense rainfall can trigger flash floods before the monsoon season, submerging rice fields before crops can be harvested and damaging fish stocks. Climate change is increasing the risk of heavy downpours as a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, while deforestation in the region can increase surface runoff and erosion, potentially worsening flooding.<\/p>\n

Azim explains how even in \u201cthis vast expanse of water, people continue to live, work and adapt. The image reveals the human impact of extreme weather: when water rises, it does not simply change the landscape, it changes how people move, live and survive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wildfire Haze in New York City<\/h2>\n
\"Circle<\/a>Brendan Chan<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Brendan Chan
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0New York City, USA<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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At first glance, the sepia-colored haze of this photo could make New York City, USA look as though it belongs to another era. In fact, Brendan Chan captured this image in July 2026, when smoke from intense wildfires burning across Canada traveled hundreds of miles, casting an eerie brown tint over the city\u2019s famous skyline.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could smell it, see it and feel it with the heaviness it came,\u201d says Brendan, describing how the smoke transformed the air around him.<\/p>\n

Wildfire smoke can travel vast distances, carried by winds and transported through the atmosphere. Large-scale weather patterns, including the position of the jet stream, can influence the movement of air masses and help determine where smoke travels.<\/p>\n

There is also a growing connection to human-caused climate change driving the increasing severity of extreme Canadian fire seasons. Hotter conditions can contribute to the extreme fire weather that allows fires to spread rapidly and burn over larger areas, increasing the amount of smoke released into the atmosphere.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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The smoke itself contains a complex mixture of gases and tiny airborne particles. Of particular concern is fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, which is small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs. Exposure to high concentrations can irritate the eyes and airways, cause breathing difficulties, and worsen existing respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.<\/p>\n

Brendan\u2019s photo perfectly captures how wildfire smoke is not just a local problem, but one that can cross borders, affect public health, and transform the appearance of an entire city.<\/p>\n

Glacial Calving Surge<\/h2>\n
\"A<\/a>Thomas Ruimou<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Thomas Ruimou Yu
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Perito Moreno Glacier, Patagonia, Argentina<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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The calving zone of the Perito Moreno Glacier in southern Patagonia, Argentina, is a dramatic 5- kilometer-wide and 70-meter-tall ice wall where massive chunks of blue ice routinely crash into Lago Argentino.<\/p>\n

Glacial calving is the breaking of large chunks of ice from the edge of a glacier. As glaciers flow, driven by their own immense weight and the pull of gravity, stresses build up within the ice. When these stresses exceed the ice\u2019s strength, it fractures, sending pieces tumbling into the water below. While calving is a natural part of a glacier\u2019s life cycle, its frequency and magnitude are closely monitored by scientists.<\/p>\n

The Perito Moreno Glacier is experiencing accelerated ice loss, thinning, and rapid retreat in its calving zone due to rising regional temperatures and reduced snowfall. Between 2019 and 2024, some parts of the glacier\u2019s northern front have retreated by as much as 800 meters.<\/p>\n

The changes are consistent with broader patterns of glacier response to climate change. Rising air temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and warmer water at the glacier\u2019s end all contribute to increased melt and structural changes.<\/p>\n

After eight years, Thomas Ruimou Yu revisited the Perito Moreno Glacier in 2026. Reflecting on the changes he observed, \u201cthe scene looked drastically different, with far more floating ice and frequent calving events\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Dying Glacier: Vista of Change<\/h2>\n
\"Icebergs<\/a>Samuel Prudence<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Samuel Prudence
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Aoraki\/Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Where ice once stretched across the valley, a dark lake now sits beneath Aoraki\/Mount Cook, surrounded by bare rock and deposits left behind as the Haupapa\/Tasman Glacier retreats. Small fragments of ice float on the murky water, traces of a landscape that has changed dramatically over time.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen traveling in New Zealand, I visited Aoraki National Park and planned to hike up the mountain to see the Haupapa\/Tasman Glacier,\u201d explains Samuel Prudence. \u201cWhen I reached the first viewing platform I was struck with a deep sense of sadness at the scale of environmental change I was confronted with.\u201d<\/p>\n

For much of the twentieth century, the glacier extended far down the valley as a vast, flowing river of ice. Today, its retreat has exposed a landscape of dark sediment and rock. This transformation reflects a wider pattern across many of the world\u2019s glaciers, which are losing ice as the climate warms. Rising temperatures increase melting, while changes in snowfall affect how much new ice can replace what is lost.<\/p>\n

Samuel described the landscape to be filled with the sound of helicopters and motorboats, as visitors arrived to experience what was left of the glacier and the lake left behind. For Samuel, it is now a stark reminder of how profoundly human activity is reshaping the natural world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Exposed<\/h2>\n
\"Large<\/a>Graham Nien<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Graham Niven
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Cairngorms National Park, Scotland<\/p>\n

The Cairngorms, Scotland, the UK\u2019s largest national park, are known for their ancient Caledonian pinewoods, vast peatlands and wildlife-rich landscapes. But in July 2026, wildfires tore through parts of the park, leaving precious habitats devastated. Among the losses were centuries-old Scots pines, some of which had stood for generations before their roots became exposed and surrounding peat were consumed by fire.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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For Graham Niven, this was not simply a disaster to witness from afar. He joined a team of volunteers working to tackle the fire, digging into the burning peat and soaking hotspots to prevent the flames from spreading again.<\/p>\n

Peatlands are particularly vulnerable to wildfires. Formed over thousands of years, layers of partially decomposed plant material accumulate in waterlogged conditions, storing vast quantities of carbon. When prolonged dry weather conditions cause the surface to dry out, fires can burn deep into the ground, smoldering beneath the surface, even when the visible flames have disappeared.<\/p>\n

Once burned, these ecosystems can take decades or longer to recover, and deep peat fires can release carbon that has accumulated over millennia.<\/p>\n

Scotland\u2019s wildfire risk is expected to increase as the climate changes. Towards the end of the century, projections indicate that summers are likely to become drier, while extreme heat and drought become more frequent. The Met Office identifies wildfire as an \u2018emergent risk\u2019 for the UK, with future projections pointing towards an increase in hazardous fire-weather conditions.<\/p>\n

But Graham\u2019s experience reveals the human effort required to protect their landscapes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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A Village Underwater<\/h2>\n
\"Aerial<\/a>Muhammad Amdad Hossain<\/span><\/figure>\n

Photographer:<\/strong>\u00a0Muhammad Amdad Hossain
Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Kurigram, Bangladesh<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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In Kurigram, northern Bangladesh, floodwaters transformed a village landscape, leaving homes underwater and residents facing the challenges of life during the monsoon. Captured by Muhammad Amdad Hossain during the devastating floods of 2022, this image reveals the vulnerability of communities living in these areas.<\/p>\n

Kurigram is shaped by its low-lying floodplains and shifting river islands, known locally as chars. These landscapes are constantly reshaped by flowing waterways, making flooding a familiar but often destructive part of life.<\/p>\n

Bangladesh experiences the Indian summer monsoon, driven by seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation that brings moisture-laden winds and heavy rainfall. During 2022, exceptionally intense rainfall across Bangladesh and neighboring upstream regions caused rivers to swell, triggering widespread flooding. As water levels rose, homes, farmlands, and transport routes were submerged, disrupting livelihoods and forcing many families to seek safer ground.<\/p>\n

But climate change is also altering the conditions that shape the Indian summer monsoon. As the atmosphere warms, it can hold more moisture, increasing the potential for heavier bursts of rainfall. Research also points to changes in the timing and intensity of monsoon rainfall, contributing to greater subseasonal variability, with periods of intense downpours occurring alongside periods of unusually dry weather. These changing patterns can make it harder for communities to anticipate and prepare for extremes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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As Muhammad explains, \u201cthe photo shows the scale of flooding and how people are forced to live with its consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n

About the Author: <\/span>Dale Baskin is a professional photographer, writer, and filmmaker based in the Pacific Northwest. He is the Managing Editor of DPReview.com.<\/div>\n
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Follow DPReview to ensure our independent journalism reaches your feeds.<\/p>\n

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