Issued: Tues 15 October 2024
An elusive optical effect caused by light bending through fog, space weather and a total solar eclipse are among the weather phenomena captured in the Bureau of Meteorology’s Australian Weather Calendar for 2025.
Photos submitted by professional and amateur photographers from across the country are featured in the latest edition of the popular annual calendar.
The photos in the 2025 calendar takes viewers on a journey throughout the country’s many climate zones from Tasmania’s central highlands in the south to the Arafura Sea off the Northern Territory.
The calendar features photos from across Australia which were entered and judged through the Bureau’s yearly photo competition.
³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Community Information Manager Andrea Peace said the images were selected from a strong offering of over 500 entries.
“Each month features a photo of a different weather phenomenon alongside a meteorological description written by the Bureau’s meteorologists,” Ms. Peace said.
“The photos offer a glimpse into the science behind how the weather works, and how the Bureau’s services meet the needs of the Australian community and industries.
“Some of the fascinating weather phenomena captured on camera in this year’s selection include unusual cloud formations known as Cirrus uncinus, glowing anticrepuscular sun rays, a glorious sunrise in regional WA, a colourful Aurora australis and moody thunderstorms.”
Featured as the February photo is a waterspout, captured by hobby photographer Cathryn Vasseleu off the Arafura Sea in the NT, after she spotted the unusual sight by chance while birdwatching.
The phenomenon is a tornado that occurs over water and forms a twisting funnel of liquid and vapour, usually only lasting about 5-10 minutes but which can create havoc with winds of over 100km/h.
The much less destructive phenomenon of a fogbow — an optical effect caused by light bending through fog, producing a colourless rainbow — was captured by weather chaser David Metcalf in country NSW and features as the June image.
The perfectly wintery scene of a wombat braving the snow as it journeys through Tasmania’s central highlands was captured by Tassie local Gill Dayton and selected as the cover image for the 2025 edition.
Several of the photos within the calendar reflect the dedication often needed to capture fleeting weather phenomena on camera like spectacular lightning strikes captured in split-second moments.
The December photo of a dazzling Aurora australis display taken by weather-obsessed photographer Rusli Hashim in Northern Tasmania was the photographer’s dream image, captured in the early hours of the morning following an all-night aurora stakeout.
Now in its 41st year, the weather calendar has been celebrating the best of Australian weather photography since 1983.
The 2025 Australian Weather Calendar is on sale now.
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