Light in the sky · optical effect
22 degree halo
A ring drawn in ice
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Edited version of Image:410px-Sun halo optical phenomenon.jpg.
Displayed at reduced resolution. See the original file for full licensing information.
Full credit
Own work
Displayed at reduced resolution. See the original file for full licensing information.
Full credit
Own work
Displayed at reduced resolution. See the original file for full licensing information.
Swipe or scroll sideways to explore the photographs. Photos may include other cloud types; names and credits come from their source records.
Spot it
A large ring around the Sun or Moon.
How it forms
Light is refracted through ice crystals.
Read the sky
A halo can reveal ice cloud; it does not guarantee rain at a particular time.
Where to look
Look with thin ice cloud overhead, or in suitable ice-crystal conditions.
Little sky facts
Reveal fact 1
A halo can surround the Moon as well as the Sun.
Reveal fact 2
Its name describes an angular radius, not a temperature.
Reveal fact 3
Ice crystals redirect the light.
Reveal fact 4
It is a light phenomenon rather than a separate cloud type.
Try this
Look for a lunar halo instead of looking toward the Sun.
Draw your own cloud ↗Read a little deeper
Conditions described here are places to look, not a global frequency ranking. Use local weather forecasts and warnings for decisions. Never look directly at the Sun.