Now in its tenth year, the Standard Chartered Weather Photographer of the Year Awards continues to deliver jaw-dropping imagery that captures Earth’s wild moods — from lightning-charged skies to delicate morning fog. Hosted by the Royal Meteorological Society, this global competition doesn’t just spotlight technical brilliance; it tells the story of a planet in flux. These 11 powerful winning photos remind us just how small we are in the face of nature’s raw power — and how crucial it is to protect it.
The 2025 grand title went to Chinese photographers Geshuang Chen and Shuchang Dong for their breathtaking shot “The Gorgeous Ring.” Taken over Lugu Lake in Yunnan Province, the image captures a rare full circular rainbow encircling a tiny island — a pure meteorological marvel that feels like a glimpse into another world. The shot freezes a fleeting miracle of light and water vapor, blending art, science, and timing in one incredible frame.
Other winners showcased equally striking moments — blizzards swallowing mountain peaks, dust storms roaring across deserts, and lightning bolts splitting city skies. Each photo is more than just weather; it’s emotion, story, and impact rolled into one frame. Together, these images paint a vivid portrait of climate change’s growing footprint — a wake-up call that’s as beautiful as it is urgent.
As storms grow fiercer and seasons shift unpredictably, these photos remind us that weather is more than background scenery — it’s the pulse of our planet. Through the eyes of these photographers, we see both the fragility and resilience of Earth, a living reminder that we’re all part of one shared atmosphere.
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#1. Winner: "The Gorgeous Ring" by Shuchang Dong, 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.
#2. Runner-Up: "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.
#3. Third Place & Public Vote, Winner: "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. Climate Award, Winner: "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!”
#5. Public Vote, Runner-Up: "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.
#6. Public Vote, Third Place: "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.”
#7. Mobile Category, Runner-Up: "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.”
#8. Climate Award, Runner-Up: "Heading home" by Maria del Pilar Trigo Bonnin
Two men ride through a road strewn with debris, heading home to what remains after Typhoon Rai (locally named Odette) tore across Siargao Island, Philippines, in December 2021. Photographer Maria del Pilar Trigo Bonnin took the shot from the back of another motorbike as they made their way through the devastation. “I handheld the camera and captured the moment quickly the stillness, the chaos, and the long shadows told the story of what we had just lived through."
#9. Mobile Category, Winner: "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.
#10. Young Category, Winner: "Eruption in the sky" by Adrian Cruz
Captured from a passenger plane flying between Washington, DC and Orlando, Florida this photo reveals a spectacular view of a thunderstorm cloud glowing pink against a deepening blue sky. “We were flying alongside a lightning storm, which was a pretty cool sight,” says young photographer Adrian Cruz.
#11. Young Category, Runner-Up: "Clear Skies Ahead" by Ellen Ross
“My Dad and I were paddleboarding on Lake Michigan [USA] when this storm blew in,” says young photographer Ellen Ross. “I quickly grabbed my Dad’s phone and took this photo, because it’s rare to see such an interesting storm. Also because of the small patch of blue sky behind it. I think it shows good days to come." That small patch of blue caught the eye of the judges too. “The glimpse of blue sky beyond lets you know that the storm won’t last forever,” said judge Dan Green. “I absolutely love this photo — a weather drama unfolding over the lake. The clarity of the storm front is exceptional, with some interesting detail on the edges.”
