Tag: Moonbow

North American Monsoon—August 2026

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A thunderstorm is internally illuminated by in-cloud lightning while a massive cloud-to-ground lightning flash strikes in front of the storm.

The North American Monsoon in August was mostly missing in action–at least over northern Arizona. There were several “monsoon burst” periods but these were greatly exceeded by “monsoon breaks.”

A lot of my photography took place at Mormon Lake. It’s close to home and has great views in all directions. And some years it even has water! Other locations this month included Grand Canyon National Park, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, and Wupatki National Monument.

11 August 2026

This day provided some afternoon thunderstorms over the vast grasslands of Wupatki National Park followed by some evening photography at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.

A distant thunderstorm over the Coconino Plateau of northern Arizona.
A distant thunderstorm over the Coconino Plateau of northern Arizona.
A thunderstorm produces lightning over the Painted Desert east of Wupatki National Monument.
A thunderstorm produces lightning over the Painted Desert east of Wupatki National Monument.
Sunset light at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.
Sunset light at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.
The sunset has ended but a rainbow remains over Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.
The sunset has ended but a rainbow remains over Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.
A zoomed-in view of a rainbow in Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.
A zoomed-in view of a rainbow in Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.

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Moonbows and Lightning

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The last few days have provided opportunities for photographing lightning and moonbows. A moonbow, of course, is nothing more than a rainbow that is lit by the light of the moon rather than the sun. Although not rare, I’ve never had an opportunity to photograph a moonbow before. Even better, it was a double moonbow. And, to make it even better, there was lightning to go along with it.

Moonbow over Sedona, Arizona.
Moonbow over Sedona, Arizona.

A short time-lapse video is available. The video covers a period of 24 minutes compressed into 8 seconds.

The previous evening I was also shooting lightning in Sedona and was able to capture this beautiful cloud-to-ground lightning bolt adjacent to Cathedral Rock. (Minor problem: it wasn’t in sharp focus. Oh, well.)

Lightning near Cathedral Rock, Sedona, Arizona.
Lightning near Cathedral Rock, Sedona, Arizona.