Prepare to be amazed by the stunning winners of the Weather Photographer of the Year Contest! This competition, sponsored by Standard Chartered, showcases the incredible talent of photographers worldwide, capturing the beauty and power of weather phenomena.
A Rainbow's End: Unveiling the Extraordinary
The grand prize winner is a remarkable achievement, a complete circular rainbow captured by a pair of photographers from China. Engineer and astronomy photographer Geshuang Chen shares the story behind this unique shot: "It was a drizzly day on Lugu Lake when I decided to fly my drone high above the rain curtain, facing away from the Sun. Little did I know, I'd capture a rainbow's full glory!"
But here's where it gets controversial: full-circle rainbows are incredibly rare! From the ground, we usually miss the lower half, hidden below the horizon. It takes a perfect alignment of the Sun, rain, and viewer's perspective to witness this phenomenon. And Chen's image delivers just that, with a small island framed precisely at the rainbow's center.
Battling the Storm: A Powerful Display
The runner-up in the main category is a dramatic image captured by Jadwiga Piasecka during Storm Eunice on the UK's south coast. From a sheltered spot, Piasecka witnessed enormous waves crashing against the seawall, creating a powerful display of nature's fury.
"I've always been fascinated by the sea's energy," Piasecka writes. "When Storm Eunice arrived, I knew I had to experience it firsthand. The result is a testament to the storm's immense power."
Nature's Turbulence: A Visual Spectacle
Third place goes to Lukáš Gallo for his captivating image of Kelvin-Helmholtz wave clouds. These rare 'wave' clouds form when there's a sharp difference in wind speed or direction between air layers, creating a stunning series of cloud curls that resemble breaking ocean waves.
Gallo's photograph, captured spontaneously while driving in South Bohemia, Czechia, showcases the beauty of nature's turbulence against a peaceful rural backdrop.
A Tropical Storm's Fury: Captured in Motion
The mobile category winner takes us to Inle Lake in Myanmar, where a sudden downpour creates a sense of urgency. Two fishermen work swiftly, one paddling, the other bailing water from their boat. The bright colors of their clothing and the heavy raindrops streaking across the frame add to the intensity of the moment.
The motion blur of the fishermen and rain droplets invites viewers into the scene, experiencing the tropical storm's sudden force.
These incredible photographs remind us of the beauty and power of nature. Which image speaks to you the most? Share your thoughts and feelings in the comments below! We'd love to hear your perspective on these captivating shots.
