The 2026 British Meteorological Society Weather Photographer of the Year competition has released a shortlist of 30 images selected from more than 5,500 submissions worldwide. The photographs capture the dramatic effects of weather on landscapes and communities, including lightning storms, cloud formations, rainbows, ice and wildfires. Here are seven shortlisted images highlighted for their composition, atmosphere and storytelling.
You can explore the full 2026 finalist list and vote for your favorite photograph before the contest ends on Thursday (5th November).
“Sunset at Mount Shasta Tophatt”
Lisa K. Kuhn captured a lenticular cloud forming above California’s Mount Shasta.
“Triple Strike NYC”
Watching from Bayonne, New Jersey, photographer Dan Martland captured three lightning strikes over New York City.
“Supercell in the Dunes of Nebraska”
“Mother Nature was kind enough to give us a supercell and night lightning,” photographer Laura Hedien said of witnessing the storm in Nebraska.
“Lakeland Rainbow”
While walking through England’s Lake District, photographer Matt Robinson waited in the pouring rain before capturing this image of a rainbow.
“Ice Hearts”
During a walk through the winter landscape of Bahredova Dolina, Slovakia, photographer Dominika Kosovska noticed ice forming on wire mesh in the shape of a heart.
“fire”
Photographer Erfan Samanfar captured farmers trying to save their fields from raging fires in Marbdasht, Iran.
“Castle in the Wind”
Photographer Andres Miraria captured an iceberg floating in the sunset off the coast of Paradise Harbor in Antarctica.
Source: www.livescience.com