Cannon Beach Sundogs

September 09, 2007

Sundogovercannonwaves

Provided by: Kevin McNeal
Summary authors & editors: Jim Foster, Kevin McNeal

This scrumptious scene showing a pair of sundogs (parhelia) and a 22-degree halo were spotted just above the surf of Cannon Beach, Oregon, shortly before sundown on May 24, 2007. Hexagonal plate ice crystals, which slowly descend through the air, are responsible for these rousing sundogs. In order for such sundogs to be observed, the plate shaped ice crystals need to be aligned with their flat faces horizontal.