It’s not even December yet but North Dakota is already seeing the full effects of winter. This state has a bit of a reputation for having pretty harsh winters, and it is well earned. The temperature has already dipped to the single digits this season and snow has been falling since October for much of the state. Some of us have even already seen a special natural phenomenon that only shows itself in wintertime. It’s a beautiful part of nature that we in North Dakota get to enjoy – even if it means it’s super cold!

On the coldest days of winter in North Dakota, you may see faint rainbows in the sky. These are a part of a natural phenomenon that look even more impressive when you see the whole thing.
ashley.adcox/Flickr
The small rainbows appear on either side of the sun. In the early morning, these appear more faintly, but when the sun has risen...
justin s./Flickr

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... it becomes an absolutely stunning visual effect. People who have never seen one in real life might say it is just light glare in a camera lens, but it is actually a natural phenomenon called a sun dog or mock sun. The scientific name is a parhelion. It gives the illusion of a gorgeous halo around the sun with two beaming "sun dogs" on either side.
Jerry Huddleston/Flickr
Sun dogs occur when ice crystals in the air cause the light of the sun to refract. The result is shockingly beautiful but also a typical indicator that it is well below freezing outside. Similar effects such as light pillars can be seen in the cold in North Dakota, too. It may be a sign to bundle up that day, but it is also a wonderful part of nature we get to enjoy here.
Rick Bohn/USFWS/Flickr

Many people in North Dakota have already spotted sun dogs this season. Have you seen any yet? Some people have shared photos of sun dogs in our beautiful state in the North Dakota Nature Lovers group on Facebook. They never fail to be awe-inspiring!

This isn’t the only cool natural phenomenon that can be found in North Dakota. A few years back the state saw an absolutely incredible natural occurrence in the winter and you can see it too by clicking here.

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