Rare noctilucent clouds spotted in south-central Pennsylvania
Updated: 7:40 AM EDT Oct 16, 2025
Rare noctilucent clouds were spotted in south-central Pennsylvania on Thursday morning. WGAL News 8 Skycam captured the noctilucent clouds, also known as “night-shining clouds.” According to WGAL’s Meteorologist Mike Susko, these clouds form from tiny ice crystals high in the atmosphere and appear around twilight. Noctilucent clouds are very high up in the atmosphere, around 250,000 feet, which is significantly higher than other cloud formations. For reference, commercial planes typically fly around 35,000 to 40,000 feet. Noctilucent clouds are most common in the summer months and usually form between latitudes 50 and 70. However, they can form outside this range. The Susquehanna Valley is located a bit farther south, with its latitude around 40 to 41.Did you capture the noctilucent clouds and would like to share with News 8? Send us your photos or videos at https://www.wgal.com/upload.
PENNSYLVANIA —
Rare noctilucent clouds were spotted in south-central Pennsylvania on Thursday morning.
WGAL News 8 Skycam captured the noctilucent clouds, also known as “night-shining clouds.”
According to WGAL’s Meteorologist Mike Susko, these clouds form from tiny ice crystals high in the atmosphere and appear around twilight.
Noctilucent clouds are very high up in the atmosphere, around 250,000 feet, which is significantly higher than other cloud formations. For reference, commercial planes typically fly around 35,000 to 40,000 feet.
Noctilucent clouds are most common in the summer months and usually form between latitudes 50 and 70. However, they can form outside this range. The Susquehanna Valley is located a bit farther south, with its latitude around 40 to 41.
Did you capture the noctilucent clouds and would like to share with News 8? Send us your photos or videos at https://www.wgal.com/upload.