What was that odd sunset about this evening?
Many of you have sent pictures to me of a large vertical light shaft on the horizon right at sunset this evening.
This is known as a “sun pillar”.
Sun pillars form when sunlight reflects off ice crystals that are falling from the clouds (usually cirrostratus clouds).
These ice crystals are hexagonal shapes and falling vertically, as light is reflected thru the crystals a “sun pillar” is born.
While it’s not an uncommon occurrence, it is somewhat unusual to see it here because our atmosphere typically only gets cold enough for these crystals to fall a few times a year.
Tonight was one of those times!
-Garrett
