The Unspoken Warning That A Sundog Gives To Minnesotans

Have you even seen a sundog? They are really a fun thing to see, and I learned through one Twin Cities meteorologist that seeing one actually gives us an unspoken warning, that is, if you believe in such a thing. Have you ever heard of this before?

What Is A Sundog?

While the name seems to refer to a canine, especially if you've never heard of the term before, in reality, it is a term that is used to describe a sort of 'halo' that appears around the sun.

According to Sky & Telescope, a sundog is when "a concentrated patch of sunlight is occasionally seen about 22° to the left or right of the Sun. Sundogs often form in pairs on either side of our daytime star when sunlight refracts through icy clouds containing hexagonal platecrystals aligned with their large, flat faces parallel to the ground."

In other words, it's when light from the sun is bent by tiny ice crystals high up in the atmosphere.

What To Do Sundogs 'Warn' Us Of When We See One?

I learned the other day on X, from KSTP meteorologist Chris Reece, that when you see a sundog, it's actually a sign that precipitation is on the way.

While there might be a kernel of truth to it, many people believe it to be more of an 'old wives' tale versus fact.

Get our free mobile app

Just because we see one doesn't mean that the weather will indeed lead to rain or a snow event, but it does mean a weather change is on the way, at least if you believe.