“Life is no different than the weather. Not only is it unpredictable, but it shows us a new perspective of the world every day.” ~ American writer Suzy Kassem

Weather is a favorite topic of conversation, from talking about unseasonably hot sunny days to skin-soaking cloudbursts and sudden hailstorms. But some weather really is worth talking about. Here’s a small selection of some of the most amazing weather phenomena.

Suspended high in the lowest layer of the Earth’s atmosphere, sun halos appear when ice crystals reflect sunlight, creating an illusion of a rainbow-colored ring around the sun. According to folklore, they present a warning of a coming rain or snowstorm.

Similar to a rainbow, a white rainbow (or fog bow) appears in fog rather than rain. Because of the tiny size of the droplets, it has very weak colors and therefore appears white. During the springtime, as the snow melts, they can be seen at base of Yosemite Falls.

Also known as a dirty thunderstorm or thunder volcano, this daunting phenomenon is lightning produced inside a cloud of volcanic ash. It has been observed during most volcanic eruptions.

Possibly my favorite are lunar rainbows or moonbows. Their cause is moonlight rather than sunlight. Although rare, the perfect conditions to see a moonbow are during a full moon near a waterfall.

During winter storms along the northern California coast strong currents mix salts, chemicals, decomposed fish and dead plants, creating ocean foam. The foam washed up along the shoreline resembles a frothy morning coffee.

A rare meteorological spectacle that occurs in specific mountainous areas, including the Rocky Mountains, is snow doughnuts. They form when wind pushes snow across the ground, gathering it into a hollow cylinder or wheel shape. On they roll, leaving trails.

Just like steam coming off a hot bath, sea smoke is fog in arctic regions produced by below-freezing air over a warm sea surface. Usually quite low, ships can easily see over it. However, columns between 65 to 100 feet have been recorded in the past.

Last is a circumhorizontal arc. It appears as a bright band of color that may show all seven colors of the spectrum. Ice crystals in cirrus clouds and a precise sun-angle are key factors. The light source (sun or moon) must be very high in the sky at an elevation of 58° or greater. Where’s the most likely place to sight one? LA where the sun is shining at the right angle for 670 hours, in late March through late September.

Today, Thursday, a cool-down gets underway. Tomorrow and on Saturday there’s a chance of drizzle or light rain. Next week … Here comes the sun!