Residents of Plateau State were astonished to wake up to an unusual 22-degree sun halo in the sky on Wednesday morning, a phenomenon that took many by surprise as it was said to be the first time it had been seen in the State.
A halo is an optical effect that appears as a bright ring surrounding the sun, formed when sunlight refracts through ice crystals present in high-altitude cirrus clouds.
These typically hexagonal crystals function like prisms, bending light and often indicating that rain or snow may arrive within the next 24 to 48 hours.
The sun halo forms in thin, high-altitude cirrus or cirrostratus clouds made up of ice crystals.
Halo appears as a large circle surrounding the sun, generally white in color, but it can sometimes have a reddish inner edge and a bluish outer edge.
While it doesn’t guarantee specific weather, the presence of these clouds often suggests an incoming moisture-rich weather system or storm front.
Scientists note that the 22-degree halo is often associated in folklore with the expectation of rain or snow.
Experts caution that halos can be harmful to the eyes and advise against looking directly at the sun, even when a halo is visible.
The appearance of the sun halo in Jos has caused both fear and amazement among residents, marking a historic first for the state.
