Diamond dust is a fun weather phenomenon that can make the air look like it’s shimmering.
How does it occur?
Most commonly observed in Antarctica and the Arctic, temperatures need to be well below freezing for diamond dust to form, usually below 15 degrees.
It occurs when precipitation falls as very tiny ice crystals. They are so small that it appears as if the ice crystals are floating in the air.
It also needs to happen on a mostly sunny day, so the light can reflect off the ice crystals, causing them to sparkle in the air.
They can even form beautiful shapes in the sky in the forms of halos and ice pillars.
Sun light reflecting off ice crystals in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone; Jim Peaco; January 2014
Where can we see it?
Antarctica and the Arctic aren’t the only places we can see diamond dust.
You can spot this beautiful event right here in the U.S.
Try your luck during the cold months in any state that typically has freezing temperatures to see if you can catch a glimpse of diamond dust.
Some areas where people have spotted the phenomena include Yellowstone, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Colorado.
Diamond dust in Yellowstone National Park. (National Park Service/Jim Peaco)
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