Light Pillars in Minnesota

In article . com,
"Randy Aldous" wrote:

We had 'light pillars' last night all around the Twin Cities.
VERY-VERY-COOL!!

Noticed them Saturday night, also coming from cars obscured by trees
and a curve in the highway. This was between Crosby and Brainerd
(Minnesota) - there was just a hint of snow in the air. Perhaps the
light is reflected by the small, shiny snow flakes, moving slowly in
the air. If I recall, the winds were calm and it was in or near
single-digit temps. Think of tiny mirrors.

I concur, very cool. Didn't see much in town, though. Could have just
been the angle and background.

They were very apparent from Fridley on into North Minneapolis.
I noticed that even lights that I couldn't see directly would
do it, but only the white lights (for instance ones in the
railroad yards). Sodium lights didn't seem to do it.

I'm glad someone posted about it--I was wondering what caused
it too. It was around 10 degrees or so--not what I'd think of
as "really cold"--so there must be something more to it than
just temps and a light snow.

Mike Beede