The weather this fall in Western New York has been anything but predictable. From heavy rains to lake-effect rain, lake-effect snow, and even bursts of warm air, it has truly been a unique season. But something happened this past Friday that was especially memorable, and if you were lucky enough to see it, here’s the explanation.
Western New York Weather: Always Changing
Living in Western New York and the Buffalo area means we’re used to rapid weather changes. It may sound cliché, but it’s true: If you don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes. The Great Lakes play a major role, offering everything from cool summer breezes to intense lake-effect snow in the winter, depending on whether you love snow or dread it.
A Massive Ring Around the Sun
As we kicked off Friday, I was driving through Hamburg, New York, when I looked up and saw a massive ring around the sun filled with the colors of the rainbow. Was it my windshield? My glasses? What was causing this incredible sight over the Southtowns of Buffalo?
What Causes a Sun Halo?
It turns out there’s a fascinating scientific explanation. I reached out to Channel 2 meteorologist Patrick Hammer in Buffalo, and he confirmed it was a beautiful sun halo.
According to Patrick, ice crystals around 30,000 feet had formed between us and the sun, creating the refracted circle of light. These high-altitude crystals bend sunlight in a way that produces that glowing, rainbow-like ring.
Photo by: Clay Moden
Photo by: Clay ModenWeather Swings Continue Across Western New York
If you’ve been outside anywhere in Western New York over the last 48 hours, you know how quickly conditions have shifted. By Sunday morning, temperatures had dropped from the 60s the night before into the low 40s and continued falling through the day.
We’re entering the time of year when lake-effect snow becomes part of the weekly forecast. So far, we’ve only seen a few inches of wet snow that melted quickly, but with a warm lake and the right wind direction, anything can happen.
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Looking Ahead to the Holidays
As we get closer to the holidays, many Western New Yorkers are hoping for snow, whether for skiing or simply for a festive Christmas season. At the same time, we’re all hoping to avoid a major storm around Thanksgiving when thousands of families will be traveling across the region.
A Reminder of Western New York’s Natural Wonders
This sun halo was a beautiful reminder of the incredible natural wonders we experience right here in our own backyard. Western New York weather may be unpredictable, but every now and then, it gives us something truly unforgettable.
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Gallery Credit: Brett Alan