Lights looking different? It may be this weather phenomenon
Jan 20, 2025
(COLORADO) — Are the lights looking sparklier than usual? Don't worry, your eyes are working fine and you are actually experiencing a weather phenomenon caused by ice.
The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) Pueblo is advising community members of light pillars, a cold weather phenomenon caused by light reflecting off of ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere. NWS shared the pictures below through Facebook on Monday, Jan. 20.
NWS Pueblo said via Facebook that these pillars will not be uncommon to see these next couple of days due to cold temperatures.
"You'll want to keep your eyes peeled for sun dogs these next few mornings too!" said NWS Pueblo.
Sundogs are colored spots of light that develop due to refraction, the change in direction of light due to a change in its speed, which means that whenever the light is refracted inside an ice crystal or water droplet in the air, it may create a rainbow effect.
This weather phenomenon usually shows colors that go from red closest to the sun, out to blue on the outside of the sundog. According to the National Weather Service, sundogs are also known as "mock suns" or parhelia, which means "with the sun."