Uploaded February 2020 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
A parhelic circle looks like a bright white ring going through the sun and appearing above the horizon in every direction, up to a full 360 degrees. It's caused by reflection of light on and in the ice crystals of cirrus clouds. A parhelic circle can be seen anywhere on Earth where you have cirrus clouds but it often blends with the clouds, making it easy to miss.
A parhelic circle is often seen with haloes and sun dogs.
Meteorologist Alan Sealls
Facebook: Alan Sealls Weather
Twitter: @AlanSealls
Web: alansealls.com
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Sealls
More educational weather videos for k-12 and even college level by subscription here weatherthings.com/TeacherVideos
A parhelic circle looks like a bright white ring going through the sun and appearing above the horizon in every direction, up to a full 360 degrees. It's caused by reflection of light on and in the ice crystals of cirrus clouds. A parhelic circle can be seen anywhere on Earth where you have cirrus clouds but it often blends with the clouds, making it easy to miss.
A parhelic circle is often seen with haloes and sun dogs.
Meteorologist Alan Sealls
Facebook: Alan Sealls Weather
Twitter: @AlanSealls
Web: alansealls.com
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Sealls
More educational weather videos for k-12 and even college level by subscription here weatherthings.com/TeacherVideos
