Unusual light pillars observed globally

Residents across the world have recently documented the appearance of light pillars, an optical phenomenon characterized by luminous vertical shafts. This display arises when light from sources such as the Sun, Moon, or terrestrial fixtures reflects off flat ice crystals suspended in the lower atmosphere. Meteorologists specify that the formation of these distinct columnar structures requires ambient air temperatures to plunge below minus 10 degrees Celsius, often coinciding with light snowfall and a visible light source.

The phenomenon is scientifically classified within the family of halos, resulting from light interaction with ice crystals, typically flat, hexagonal plates that orient horizontally as they descend. For the pillars to become visible, these crystals must be suspended near the ground, sometimes referred to as 'diamond dust' in extremely cold weather. AccuWeather Meteorologist David Samuhel noted that crystal formation usually occurs when temperatures drop below zero degrees Fahrenheit, frequently requiring conditions of minus 10 to 20 degrees or colder, coupled with extremely calm, windless air.

The color observed in the pillar directly mirrors the color of the originating light source, which can range from streetlights to city illumination or moonlight. This effect is purely an optical illusion; the pillar is not physically located above or below the source but is created by the collective reflection of light from crystals aligned in the observer's vertical plane. Regions known for this spectacle, where atmospheric stability helps keep the necessary ice fog suspended, include Central Alberta, Alaska, and Russia.

For instance, residents near St. Petersburg, Russia, witnessed a significant display on the evening of January 2, 2026, where city lights appeared as vertical beams piercing the frigid air. While the precise formation of the ice crystals can be difficult to forecast, predicting the necessary cold and calm weather patterns offers a probabilistic method for anticipating these ethereal beams. These low-altitude optical effects are consistently clarified by meteorologists as natural, physics-based occurrences, distinct from phenomena like auroras.