Spectacular Light Pillars Illuminate Wyoming’s Winter Nights

Under the right conditions, Wyoming’s cold winter nights can give rise to an awe-inspiring natural phenomenon: light pillars, Cowboy State Daily reports.

These towering beams of light, stretching skyward, are created when hexagonal ice crystals in the air reflect artificial light sources like streetlights, car headlights, or even drilling rigs. Though not rare, they require specific weather conditions to form, making them a special treat for those lucky enough to witness them.

Last Saturday night, Winnie Molnar experienced the striking beauty of light pillars firsthand while driving along US Highway 20 from Worland to Basin.

“I saw light pillars all the way from Worland to Basin,” she said. “I’ve seen photos of them before but never saw them in person.”

The temperature that night had dipped below 20 degrees, and the beams of light stood starkly against the dark, starless sky. Molnar stopped to photograph the phenomenon, captivated by its eerie and mesmerizing appearance.

Light pillars occur under a precise set of conditions, as Cowboy State Daily meteorologist Don Day explained.

“You need light or calm winds and temperatures in the teens, single digits, or lower,” he said.

The cold air allows hexagonal ice crystals to form and remain suspended. When light reflects off these flat, prism-like surfaces, it creates vertical columns of light.

Wyoming’s topography plays a role, too. Low-lying areas like river valleys and basins, which are prone to colder and calmer conditions, are prime spots for light pillars. Molnar’s route along the Bighorn River was ideal for the phenomenon.

“You won’t get light pillars when it’s 28 or 29 degrees,” Day added. “When we get these really cold nights, that’s when you see them.”

For photographers, light pillars offer a dazzling subject. Pinedale photographer Dave Bell recalls capturing a famous image of vivid light pillars over Pinedale in 2017.

“They were just incredibly vivid and colorful,” he said. “Streetlights, house lights, business lights, and car lights were sending pillars straight up into the air.”

Despite subzero temperatures, Bell stayed outside for hours to capture the scene. While he has photographed light pillars several times since, none have matched the brilliance of that night.

Bell advises aspiring photographers to use a tripod for the best results. While modern cell phones can capture light pillars effectively, keeping the camera steady is crucial for sharp night shots.

This time of year is perfect for spotting light pillars in Wyoming, as the frigid temperatures and calm weather needed for their formation are more common in winter.

“Back in the boom, when I was still traveling a lot, I’d come back from Rock Springs on one of those cold nights and see light pillars coming off 20 drilling rigs on the southern end of the mesa,” Bell recalled. “It was pretty doggone spectacular.”