Fogbow, solar eclipse and an aurora captured in 2025 Australian Weather Calendar
15/10/2024
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.
National 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.
Order online at https://shop.bom.gov.au/
ENDS
More information, including detailed meteorological information and photographer profiles, is available by contacting media@bom.gov.au.
Please contact media@bom.gov.au for high-res copies of all images in this year’s Calendar.
Detailed information on each photo’s location and weather phenomenon are listed below, with photo credits.
Per the conditions of entry when photos are submitted, all winning images can only be published in support of Australian Weather Calendar promotion or story. The images cannot be used for any other purpose or project, or in conjunction with any other Bureau media. The photographers retain all rights so image copyright line must accompany each image.
Photo credits:
Cover - Snow, Central Highlands, Tas - Gill Dayton
January - Sunrise and fog, Mornington, WA - Bernard Shaw
February - Water spout, Rapid Creek, NT - Cathryn Vasseleu
March - Lightning strike, Sydney, NSW - Philipp Glanz
April - Solar eclipse, Exmouth, WA - Barend Becker
May - Rainbow and lightning, Derby, WA - JJ Rao
June - Fogbow, Tuena, NSW - David Metcalf
July - Streaky clouds, Yamanto, Qld – Sharon Smolenski
August - Lightning strike, San Remo, Vic – Anna Carson
September - Dust cloud, Merredin, WA – Grant Stainer
October - Rainbow and storm, Nightcliff, NT – Patch Clapp
November - Fog, Mount Beerwah, Qld – Billy Tillott
December - Aurora australis, Squeaking Point, Tas – Rusli Hashim
