Weather Photographer of the Year Finalists Revealed, Featuring U.S. Storms
Breathtaking images of weather phenomena, including a supercell thunderstorm over Oklahoma and lightning strikes in New York City, are among the finalists for the Weather Photographer of the Year 2026 competition.
The finalists for the Weather Photographer of the Year 2026 competition have been announced, showcasing a diverse range of meteorological events captured by photographers worldwide. Among the 30 shortlisted images are dramatic depictions of storms and atmospheric conditions within the United States.
Laura Hedien's photograph of a vast, swirling supercell thunderstorm over the Great Plains of Oklahoma is a prominent entry. Supercells, characterized by their rotating updraft, form when warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico collides with cooler, drier air masses from Canada or the Rocky Mountains, often leading to severe thunderstorms, large hail, and tornadoes.
Another striking image from the U.S. is Dan Martland's photograph of three lightning strikes illuminating the New York City skyline. Taken from Bayonne, New Jersey, the image captures the precise moment multiple bolts descended from the clouds towards the skyscrapers. Martland described the event as unexpected, with the lightning emerging suddenly despite initial radar indications suggesting the storm would miss the city.
Other notable entries include Mat Robinson's image of a double rainbow over the Lake District and Satt Pai Htun's photograph, titled 'Heaven From Earth,' taken in Taungoo, Myanmar. Lisa K Kuhn captured cloud formations atop Mount Shasta, a 14,000-foot volcano, while Vit Javorik photographed a sunbeam in Norway's Lofoten archipelago. Mahmudul Hasan submitted an image of a misty sunrise over tea hills in Vietnam.
The Royal Meteorological Society, which hosts the competition, awards a £1,500 cash prize to the winner of the best overall photograph. The public is invited to vote for their favorite image from the shortlisted entries on the society's website.