A SUN halo was captured in the skies over Dorset earlier today.
Eagle eyed readers have been in touch with the Daily Echo to share their pictures of the rare phenomenon.
Picture by Nick Lucas
The spectacle occurs when the sun shines through ice crystals, producing a white halo effect.
Picture by Chris Clark
The Met Office says: “Haloes require ice crystals to form - either from high cirrus cloud of free falling crystals. Typically sunlight or moonlight is reflected by ice crystals producing a white halo.
"However, if the light rays strike the light at a particular angle, some light may be refracted. In such situations the halo will have a faint colouration.”
Picture by Kayleigh Harries
The Met Office said that in the past halos and other atmospheric phenomena were used as an empirical form of weather forecasting before the development of meteorology.
They added: "There is some degree of truth in this. The high cirrus cloud which contains the ice crystals required for haloes to form often signifies an approaching frontal system; however in many cases the front will be inactive or simply change course from the area - producing no rain."
We welcome pictures that have been taken within the remit of the Government's advice. People should only leave their homes under the following circumstances: Shopping for necessities, once a day for exercise, medical need or providing care or travelling to or from work (if you can't work from home)
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