What’s the difference between glaze ice (from freezing rain) and black ice?

In winter forecasts you may hear two very similar-sounding terms. In Russian they’re «гололёд» and «гололедица» — and they describe different kinds of ice. Glaze ice (ice on objects) This is ice that coats objects: tree branches, power lines, roofs, railings, cars. It most often forms during freezing rain/drizzle when the air temperature is around 0 °C (or slightly below) and supercooled droplets freeze immediately on contact, creating a smooth, glassy layer.

Ursids: The Year’s Final Meteor Surprise

If you still crave meteors after the Geminids, keep your gear handy for the Ursids. This faithful shower peaks on the night of 22 December, just after the solstice, delivering roughly 10 meteors per hour with occasional outbursts when Earth crosses dense filaments shed by Comet 8P/Tuttle. The radiant sits near the Little Dipper’s bowl in Ursa Minor, so it never sets for most Northern Hemisphere observers.

Have You Seen Polar Lights?

Polar lights are one of the most beautiful natural phenomena on Earth If we were to rank the most beautiful atmospheric phenomena, we would definitely give one of the highest places to polar lights. The ideal time for them is clear frosty nights from September to March at latitudes of about 67–70°.

Geminids: December’s Meteor Main Event

Clear a spot on your calendar for the Geminid meteor shower, widely regarded as the most reliable display of the year. Activity stretches from 4 to 17 December, and the peak is predicted for the night of 13–14 December with zenithal hourly rates near 120 meteors per hour under dark skies.

December 2025 Compared to December Months from 1924 to 2024

Full Moon Names by Month

Below are common traditional names for each month’s full moon (largely from North American and European folklore). Names can vary by region, culture, and language. January — Wolf Moon (also: Old Moon, Ice Moon) February — Snow Moon (also: Hunger Moon) March — Worm Moon (also: Crow Moon, Sap Moon, Lenten Moon) April — Pink Moon (also: Sprouting Grass Moon, Egg Moon) May — Flower Moon (also: Corn Planting Moon, Milk Moon) June — Strawberry Moon (also: Rose Moon, Hot Moon) July — Buck Moon (also: Thunder Moon, Hay Moon) August — Sturgeon Moon (also: Grain Moon) September — Corn Moon (often Harvest Moon if closest to the autumn equinox) October — Hunter’s Moon (follows the Harvest Moon) November — Beaver Moon (also: Frost Moon) December — Cold Moon (also: Long Night Moon) Notes

Leonid Meteor Shower

The Leonid Meteor Shower is an annual celestial event awaited by stargazers. The Leonid Meteor Shower is named after the constellation Leo, from where the meteors appear to emanate. It occurs when Earth crosses the debris trail left by comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. This event is known for its bright meteors and persistent trails left in the sky, providing a spectacular view for observers​.

Meteorological vs Astronomical Winter - What's the Difference?

While many associate the winter season with cold weather, snowy landscapes and the holiday season, there is more than one way to define the beginning and end of winter. Meteorologists and astronomers use two different systems to delineate the seasons - meteorological winter and astronomical winter. Let’s explore the key differences between these two definitions of winter.

November 2025 Compared to November Months from 1924 to 2024

How is Storm Naming in Europe Different from the USA?

Europe: History & System: The practice of naming storms in Europe is relatively recent compared to the USA. It began in the 1950s for the North Atlantic storms and was more widely adopted in the 21st century. Various national meteorological agencies across Europe are responsible for naming storms. For instance, the UK’s Met Office, Ireland’s Met Éireann, and the Netherlands' Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute collaborate to name storms that impact their regions.