A montage of some of the shortlist candidates for the Royal Meteorological Society's Weather Photographer of the Year competition for 2026. (Graham Niven / Lisa K. Kuhn / Mat Robinson / Azim Khan Ronnie / RMetS via SWNS)
By Dean Murray
Double rainbows over the Scottish Highlands and a rare triple lightning bolt striking New York skyscrapers are among the shortlist highlights of a prestigious weather photo competition.
Now entering its second decade, the Royal Meteorological Society’s (RMetS) Weather Photographer of the Year 2026 competition serves as an international platform to raise awareness of environmental issues putting our planet at risk, including heat waves, flooding and wildfires — while showcasing the awe-inspiring beauty and power of our weather.
Triple lightning strike hits the World Trade Center and two other tall buildings in the Manhattan skyline of New York City. (Dan Martland / RMetS via SWNS)
The expert panel of judges has selected finalists based on creativity, meteorological interest and originality, after receiving over 5,500 entries from around the world.
The 30 shortlisted images capture a diverse array of dramatic conditions across 13 countries, highlighting rare, powerful moments: from mist rolling over Mallorcan hills and brilliant crepuscular sunbeams across bridges to delicate “icy hearts” forming on mountain mesh fences, double rainbows arching perfectly across the Scottish Highlands, and a rare single-exposure triple lightning bolt striking major New York skyscrapers.
A delicious double rainbow was photographed in England. (Mat Robinson / RMetS via SWNS)
The collection also explores the realities of climate change. Images document agricultural lands engulfed by heat-driven blazes in Iran, severe wildfires burning through the Scottish Cairngorms, collapsing glacial ice calving surges in Patagonia, and densely populated communities completely isolated and surrounded by rising floodwaters in Bangladesh.
Liz Bentley, chief executive of the RMetS, said: “This competition continues to show us just how powerful photography can be in connecting people with weather and our changing climate.
Mount ShastaTop Hatat Sunset. Located in northern California, USA, the 14,000-foot volcano is a well-known spot for these striking cloud formations. (Lisa K. Kuhn RMetS via SWNS)
“The incredible images shortlisted this year don’t just showcase the breathtaking, dramatic beauty of our skies, they also serve as a critical reminder of the impacts of climate change.
“With over 5,500 entries from around the world, our judging panel had an incredibly tough task in shortlisting the images and deciding on the winning images, and we are now delighted to hand over to the public to vote for their favorite.”
Voting is open until Nov. 5 for the public to cast their vote and select their favorite image in the contest. The winner will be announced on Nov. 17.
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