Light pillar, sun dog filmed near Saint Petersburg
On January 31, in the Priozersky District of Leningrad Oblast, a rare optical phenomenon—a light pillar—was recorded. It occurs during severe frosts due to ice crystals in the atmosphere.
Mar 9, 2026 0
The light pillar phenomenon occurs when ice crystals in the atmosphere reflect light during cold weather.
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A vertical pillar of light stretching from the setting sun was observed on January 31 in the Priozersky District of Leningrad Oblast. This phenomenon, known as a light pillar, forms during severe frost when flat ice crystals in the air reflect sunlight.
On the same day, in Saint Petersburg, a sun dog could be seen—an optical effect where two light sources resembling suns appear in the sky. One of them is sometimes accompanied by a rainbow halo.
The frosty weather in late January also contributed to other atmospheric phenomena, including solar pillars and even the «upward-moving» snow effect. In addition, on Saturday, the Saint Petersburg TV tower became covered with a layer of ice.
According to forecasts, the night of February 1 may become the coldest of the current winter season, with temperatures expected to drop to minus 19 degrees Celsius (minus 2.2 degrees Fahrenheit).
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