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

The sky comes alive: How to spot anti-crepuscular rays

06:00
16 April 2023

The sky comes alive
How to spot anti-crepuscular rays

crepuscular rays

We've seen a few examples of crepuscular rays in recent editions of 'Your weather - Your shots' but have you heard of anti-crepuscular rays?

Crepuscular rays are pillars of sunlight appearing to converge towards the sun on the horizon or bursting out of clouds, but if you face away from them, you may get to see something even more elusive.

The next time crepuscular rays light up the horizon, turn away from them. If you do, you might get to see some faint anti-crepuscular rays converging towards an anti-solar point, opposite the sun.

If you want to see some anti-crepuscular rays yourself, here are three tips to remember:

  • Turn around and face the opposite direction to the sun
  • Look carefully – remember anti-crepuscular rays are fainter than crepuscular rays
  • They will be most visible at sunrise or sunset, as the sun passes over the horizon.

See if you can see some for yourself and send us any pictures you take. Just click the little camera in the top corner or use the uploader.

Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
A graphic for World Meteorological Day featuring weather symbols.
Monday, 23 March 2026

World Meteorological Day

Monitor today, protect tomorrow
The image shows the central Pacific in a computer model. A striking feature is the ocean coloured red, which indicates very warm seawater.
Tuesday, 24 March 2026

Global consequences

El Niño is back
Purple crocus flowers emerging from soil beside a garden path, with green grass and shrubs in the background.
Friday, 20 March 2026

Astronomical spring

The spring equinox has passed
All weather news
This might also interest you
plit image showing a double rainbow over a rocky shoreline on the left and sheep grazing in a green field under stormy clouds on the right.
Sunday, 2 November 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Mixed conditions on an unsettled week
UK temperature map dated 14.02 showing widespread subzero values in blue shading, with readings such as −4 in Glasgow, −3 in Dublin, and −2 in London, alongside a blue thermometer icon.
Friday, 13 February 2026

Icy conditions

A frozen start to the weekend
Outline of Santa Claus with a yellow and white hat, "Ho-Ho-Ho" next to the outline above a Christmas tree.
Thursday, 25 December 2025

Merry Christmas!

Wishes from Weather & Radar
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

facebooktwittertikToklinkList