The “Standard Chartered Weather Photographer of the Year Awards 2025” has unveiled its remarkable shortlists, showcasing the awe-inspiring beauty and power of weather from around the globe. This year, the competition celebrates its tenth anniversary, and the finalists’ images are a testament to the incredible talent of photographers, from seasoned professionals to enthusiasts capturing stunning moments on their smartphones. The awards, organized by the UK’s Royal Meteorological Society, serve a vital purpose beyond celebrating photography; they aim to raise awareness of environmental issues and the impacts of our changing climate.
The shortlists feature a diverse array of meteorological phenomena, from majestic supercell storms looming over city skylines to rare cloud formations that look like breaking ocean waves. There are also captivating scenes of natural beauty, such as a circular rainbow over a Chinese lake captured by a drone, and ethereal aurora lights dancing above an Icelandic mountain. These images not only highlight the artistic skill of the photographers but also tell powerful stories about the world we live in.
A standout theme is the growing use of mobile devices, with nearly half of the finalists’ photos taken on smartphones. This demonstrates that anyone, anywhere, can contribute to this global story of weather and climate.
Now, the public has the chance to get involved and play a part in the awards. The public vote, which runs from September 18 to October 16, allows you to help select the ultimate winner. Visit the Royal Meteorological Society’s website to view all the shortlists and help crown this year’s winner by voting for your favourite photo! The winners will be announced on October 30, 2025.
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#1. “Path To The Heart Of The Storm” by Tamás Kusza
A dirt track cuts through the countryside in Ožďany, Slovakia, drawing the eye towards a sky heavy with dark, swirling clouds. In the middle of the path, a mountain bike lies still, its rider momentarily grounded by the sight ahead. “I have always been drawn to storms,” says photographer Tamás Kusza. “I love watching the sky darken, the clouds descend, and the majestic power of nature slowly unfold. Whenever I can, I hop on my bike and head for the border, where the sky and the earth meet, and where storms are born.”
#2. “Supercell Storm over the city” by HeWei
“In 2019, on the eve of Typhoon Lingling, a supercell storm appeared over the city of Shanghai, China,” says photographer HeWei. “The sky was filled with the immense power of nature, and the human city on the ground remained orderly and calm, with movement and stillness, creating a magnificent sight.” From the rooftop of a 120-metre building, HeWei launched his drone into strong pre-typhoon winds. “I flew the drone to a suitable distance from the storm and took panoramic photos of it,” he explains. The resulting image captures the sheer scale of the supercell as it looms over the city.
#3. “Sky Surfing” by Lukáš Gallo
While driving near Vodňany in South Bohemia, Czechia, photographer Lukáš Gallo noticed some unusual clouds beginning to form. He kept driving, watching the sky evolve, until about 30 minutes later, a stunning set of Kelvin-Helmholtz wave clouds appeared overhead. He quickly pulled over, grabbed his camera, and captured the momentary display from a roadside field. “I didn’t plan this; it was all of a sudden. But I think that’s the best kind of photograph,” he says.
#4. “Jelly Fish invasion in the sky” by Alfons Puertas
Captured shortly after sunset during twilight, Alfons Puertas’s photograph reveals a stunning display of altocumulus stratiformis virga clouds spreading across the sky like a swarm of jellyfish. Altocumulus stratiformis clouds are mid-level clouds that form broad, layered sheets, often signalling stable atmospheric conditions. The ‘virga’ in this scene refers to precipitation (typically ice crystals or water droplets) that falls from the cloud base but evaporates or sublimates before reaching the ground.
#5. “The birth of a new universe” by Yevhen Samuchenko
Beneath Iceland’s iconic Kirkjufell mountain, this photograph by Yevhen Samuchenko layers land, water, ice and sky in a single shot. On the left, Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall surges through snow and rock; above, the sharp peak of Kirkjufell is framed by soft cumulus and altocumulus clouds. In the distance, a bank of darker nimbostratus hints at oncoming snow, while the aurora borealis shimmers behind them in ethereal blues and greens, with stars glinting through the gaps.
#6. “Eunice III” by Jadwiga Piasecka
“I’ve loved big waves and storms since I was a kid – the power and energy of the sea have always fascinated me. So, when Storm Eunice rolled in, I knew I couldn’t miss the opportunity to witness it firsthand,” says photographer Jadwiga Piasecka.
#7. “Lenticular Invasion” by Victor Cirstet
“I took this photo on my second day in Antarctica, while I was working as an Antarctic Atmospheric Scientist down at Rothera Research Station, for the British Antarctic Survey,” says photographer Victor Cirstet. “During a tour of the walking area around the station, my colleagues spotted the clouds as we crested a small hill, a blanket of lenticular clouds invading from the east. The blanket effect looked spectacular, and I had to take a few shots.”
#8. “Winnats Pass Inversion” by Andy Gray
Dramatic temperature inversions are a regular sight in the Hope Valley area of the UK’s Peak District. On a winter morning at Winnats Pass, photographer Andy Gray set out early to take advantage of the lingering mist. The warm, moist air from the previous day had cooled overnight, creating a thick blanket of fog that settled into the valley.
#9. “Sagrada Familia Barcelona” by Carlos Castillejo Balsera
A powerful bolt of lightning slices through the night sky above Barcelona, illuminating the towering spires of the Sagrada Familia, the world’s largest unfinished Catholic church. Photographer Carlos Castillejo Balsera captured this precise moment of atmospheric drama with remarkable clarity. “Perfectly executed lightning shot,” said judge Dennis Oswald. “It’s very difficult to get the lightning not overexposed.” Fellow judge Liz Bentley praised the detail in the image: “The clarity of the main channel of lightning is strong, but the detail of smaller recoil or positive leaders is quite spectacular.”
#10. “West Texas Special” by Jonah Lange
A spiralling column of dust and wind dominates the Texas Plains in this striking image, captured by photographer Jonah Lange on 25 April 2025 near Sudan, Texas, USA. “This tornado picked up tons of dust as it landed. I peered on from the south side as it moved slowly off to the east,” he says. “West Texas is known for dust … as shown here!”
#11. “Golden Canvas” by Aung Chan Thar
This golden sunrise over Myanmar’s Inle Lake was captured by Aung Chan Thar. “I’ve visited Inle Lake many times, but I had never witnessed a morning as breathtaking as this one,” he recalls. “The sky was filled with stunning cloud formations, perfectly reflected in the still waters, and I was able to capture the moment beautifully with my phone.”
#12. “Volcanic Majesty” by Aung Chan Thar
“During my second visit to Mount Bromo, I waited each morning on the mountain, hoping to witness the perfect view of clouds and mist,” says photographer Aung Chan Thar. “On the final day of my trip, I was rewarded with a breathtaking morning and captured the scene with my phone.” In Indonesia’s Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, the iconic peaks of Mount Bromo and Mount Semeru rise dramatically above a swirling sea of mist and layered clouds. A thick, swirling sea of mist hugs the valleys, concealing the landscape below: a plain called the “Sea of Sand”. In the distance, towering cumulonimbus clouds dominate the sky, framed by the delicate veils of cirrostratus clouds behind them.
#13. “Fishing in raining season” by Kyaw Zay Yar Lin
This photo captures the urgent feeling of being caught in a sudden downpour. Two fishermen work quickly: one paddling through the dark water, the other bailing it out of the boat. Their bright orange and blue clothes stand out vividly, just like the heavy raindrops streaking across the frame. The motion blur of both the fishermen and the rain make the viewer feel part of the action, caught in the sudden intensity of a tropical storm. Raindrops fall in sheets and splash against the murky lake below as water fills the boat’s base.
#14. “Puddle Fun” by Adam D’Auria
In Düsseldorf, Germany, the streets were still slick from heavy rain when photographer Adam D’Auria spotted a perfect puddle for his next shot. “I was taking photos of the reflection,” he recalls. “Then that boy decided to jump right in front of me. Then he ran off.” The resulting black-and-white image is inverted: the reflection fills the top of the frame, while the boy’s real feet anchor the bottom. Cumulus clouds ripple across the puddle’s surface, disturbed by the frozen explosion of water from the jump.
#15. “Spray” by Shaun Mills
During a storm on Britain’s east coast, waves crash against the sea defences at Overstrand, Norfolk, sending sea spray high into the air. Photographer Shaun Mills writes: “A photo trip to the Norfolk coast coincided with a storm, and I took the opportunity to capture some incredibly rough seas. The image was taken to isolate the individual spray, giving the impression of a snowstorm.”
#16. “Good Morning Ice” by Himadri Bhuyan
Captured in the early winter chill of Arunachal Pradesh, India, this image by Himadri Bhuyan reveals a frozen lake surface etched with delicate, fractal-like ice patterns. “The subzero temperature was hurting my hands and feet,” he recalls, “but the frozen patterns caught my attention, and I had to stop and capture them.” Taken near Pangateng Tso Lake in mid-November, the scene may look serene, but beneath its stillness lies a subtle sign of a changing climate.
#17. “The Gorgeous Ring” by Geshuang Chen
“It was drizzling on Lugu Lake [In China’s Yunnan Province]. I flew my drone to a height of 500 metres, passed through the rain curtain, with my lens facing away from the sun, and captured a complete circular rainbow, which was a ring given by the sun to the lake,” says engineer and astronomy photographer Geshuang Chen.
Rainbows are a familiar sight, but full-circle rainbows are much less common. From the ground, the lower half of the circle is usually hidden below the horizon. From high above with the sun behind and rainfall ahead, it’s possible to see the entire circle.
#18. “Reflections of Pearls” by Matt Stuttard Parker
In this stunning image from northern Sweden, photographer Matt Stuttard Parker captures the elusive beauty of nacreous clouds, also known as polar stratospheric clouds or mother-of-pearl clouds, reflected in a patch of melted ice on a frozen sea. Matt recalls, he was “lying on the frozen sea on the edge of this area of melted ice, I was certain I would be able to get the sky reflected with this cute house! I got a little wet and quite cold, but it was worth it for the shot!”
#19. “Solitude in the Embrace of Inversion” by Dominika Koszowska
This striking winter scene was captured by Dominika Koszowska in Łapszanka, Poland. She recalls, “That morning, I set out early with my phone in hand, knowing the sunrise would bring magical conditions. The hoarfrost covering the trees caught my eye immediately: it sparkled in the soft, golden light of dawn. The warm glow of the radiation fog floating below the mountain peaks added depth and atmosphere.”
#20. “Other World” by Simon Brown
Simon Brown was hiking in The Malvern Hills before dawn, hoping to witness an amazing sight. As he ascended, the foggy valley below gave way to clear skies and crisp, frosted ground above: “I pulled out my phone and thought I would take a picture to send to my wife, I framed the composition, keen to include the hoarfrost and the fog below bathed in the golden rays of sunrise, simply perfect.”