Home
Weather New York
WeatherRadar
RainRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
Career
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    Amazing sky photos: What are crepuscular rays?

09:00 AM
February 3, 2023

Amazing sky photos
What are crepuscular rays?

Crepuscular rays
Crepuscular rays seen in the United Kingdom this week. - © Elaine High

A Weather & Radar user submitted a picture of crepuscular rays shining overhead this week, they are visually stunning but do you know what they are?

It is very simple, as the sun rises or sets each day rays of light shine through the sky. At times clear pillars of light appear.

These are crepuscular rays, sometimes called God rays, and appear as sunlight shines through or over clouds catching dust and smoke particles which make the beams more visible.

In addition to this phenomena, there are also anti-crepuscular rays. These rays converge toward an anti-solar point away from the sun.

These are dimmer than their regular counterpart, and you can see them by looking in the opposite direction of the sun.

Just like crepuscular rays these are more visible at sunrise or sunset as the sun passes the horizon.

If you see either of these solar illusions, be sure to snap a shot and send it our way via the image uploader!

Weather & Radar USA editorial team
More on the topic
High pressure & extreme heat. Why & how does it work?. . . Sunday, July 12, 2026
Sunday, July 12, 2026

Why & how does it work?

High pressure & extreme heat
Super Typhoon Bavi threatens Taiwan. 155 mph winds. . Weather Videos. Wednesday, July 8, 2026
The image shows an intense tropical cyclone over the western Pacific, east of Taiwan and the Philippines. The centre of the system is depicted as a light purple and white vortex with a clearly visible eye, surrounded by a ring of red and orange areas indicating the strongest wind speeds. A white arrow marks the typhoon’s predicted track towards the north-west, in the direction of Taiwan. To the west of the storm lie the Philippines, with the cities of Manila and Cebu; to the north of these lies Taiwan, with Taipei. Further west, the Chinese coast, including Hong Kong, and parts of Vietnam can be seen. The coloured wind map shows predominantly green areas outside the storm’s core, indicating significantly weaker winds. White streamlines illustrate the typhoon’s anti-clockwise circulation in the Northern Hemisphere. The highest wind speeds are concentrated around the eye of the cyclone.
Weather VideosWednesday, July 8, 2026

155 mph winds

Super Typhoon Bavi threatens Taiwan
Waterspouts possible, what are they?. They can be dangerous. . . Saturday, July 11, 2026
Waterspouts weatherradar.
Saturday, July 11, 2026

They can be dangerous

Waterspouts possible, what are they?
All weather news
This might also interest you
Gulf system is becoming better organized. It moves slowly. . . Monday, July 20, 2026
Monday, July 20, 2026

It moves slowly

Gulf system is becoming better organized
Be prepared for wildfires. By using the app. . . Saturday, July 18, 2026
Wildfires can spark anywhere, anytime. The Weather & Radar app can help you determine your area's risk.
Saturday, July 18, 2026

By using the app

Be prepared for wildfires
Up to four feet of storm surge. Gulf Coast soaker. . . Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Tropical storm alerts are active in the app as Bertha continues to churn in the northern Gulf.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Gulf Coast soaker

Up to four feet of storm surge
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

instagramfacebookthreadslinkList