What Does It Mean When You See Sundogs?

Sundogs and Weather Prediction
Probably the biggest difference between the two is that a rainbow usually signals an end to the rain, while a sundog often means that rain, or snow is on the way. Next time you see a sundog, look out for wet weather!

What do sundogs symbolize?

Despite their beauty, sundogs are indicative of foul weather, just like their halo cousins. Since the clouds that cause them (cirrus and cirrostratus) can signify an approaching weather system, sundogs themselves often indicate that rain will fall within the next 24 hours.

Is a sundog good luck?

Sun dogs are red closest to the sun and then blue as the light gets farther away. According to folklore, seeing a sun dog is good luck. Sun dogs are fairly common, so you can see these colorful bright spots many times during the year.

James H. Sterling

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.