Light pillars gleam early Wednesday morning in Kalamazoo, here's how they form
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Early risers on a frigid Wednesday morning in Kalamazoo were treated to a rare sight in the sky. Horizontal beams of light appeared to stretch upwards from the horizon, resembling something you might expect in a science fiction movie.
This phenomenon, called light pillars, occurs when the right weather ingredients all come together during the winter. Frigid air along with calm conditions are the two key ingredients needed.
Light pillars are technically an optical illusion. While the light looks like its being emitted from the ground below, it's not actually directly above the light source. Those light sources, by the way, can be anything from a street lights to industrial buildings.
As tiny hexagonal plate ice crystals slowly descend through the atmosphere, some become horizontal with the ground. Their flat surface acts as a mirror to reflect man-made light sources from a distance.
In order for the ice crystals to descend slowly and at the right orientation, it can't be too windy. That's why wouldn't see light pillars ahead of an incoming storm system or front. They're most commonly associated with arctic areas of high pressure, similar to what has moved into the upper Midwest over the last couple days.
- Check the forecast: WWMT.com/Weather
The type of ice crystals needed typically form when temperatures are at or below about 10 degrees Fahrenheit close to the ground, so you'll almost always have to brave some cold air to see them!
The same process led to a beam of light above the sun as it rose over the horizon early Wednesday. To no surprise, this naturally occurring optical effect is called a sun pillar.
Light pillars were also spotted back in February 2021 and captured across West Michigan.
If you were able to capture any photo's of Wednesday morning's light pillar or sunrise display, submit them through our Chime In weather gallery.
Follow Meteorologist Will Haenni on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!