Iowans reporting more sun dogs amid frigid temperatures

This Iowa Department of Transportation plow cam captured sun dogs today, while clearing a highway.

Sun dogs are bright spots on either side of the Sun, and sometimes include a halo, caused by the refraction of sunlight by ice crystals in the atmosphere. The National Weather Service says they're often more visible when there's blowing snow (ice crystals) into the air, which refracts the light.

The Iowa DOT's also reminding drivers that when their trucks hit a big snow drift, the plow can actually move a little bit to the side, which could be especially dangerous if a driver is too close to the plow.


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