Wild Weather And Beautiful Rainbows: Weather Photographer Of The Year 2022

'Storm Eunice' - Photo © Christopher Ison, 'Royal Meteorological Society Weather Photographer of the Year 2022 title winner'

The Royal Meteorological Society has announced the 2022 winners of its popular, annual Weather Photographer of the Year competition in association with AccuWeather. Christopher Ison's dramatic photo, 'Storm Eunice', taken in Newhaven in the UK last year, has taken the title prize. The photograph led a celebration of talented photographers of all ages from all around the world, capturing weather and climate in their most vivid forms.

Of a shortlist of 22 images chosen from entries representing 119 countries, 'Storm Eunice' was selected as the overall winner by an esteemed international panel of judges.

Commenting on the winning image, the judging panel said what they loved about this photo is the power of nature, reminding us how small and insignificant we are as it conveys the dramatic movement and force of the sea together with the resistance offered by a man-made building. The detail in the giant wave with face-like structures penetrating from the water gives it an almost mystical feel.

'Mammatus Sunset' - Photo © Eris Pil, 'Young Weather Photographer of the Year 2022 title winner'

The Young Weather Photographer of the Year 2022 was awarded to Eris Pil, from Pennsylvania in the US, who turned 17 this week. Her photo entitled ‘Mammatus Sunset’ was taken on a Google Pixel 3 smartphone!

 'Departing Storm Over Bembridge Lifeboat Station' Photo © Jamie Russell,  'Royal Meteorological Society Weather Photographer of the Year 2022, Public Favourite'

The public's favourite photo was 'Departing Storm Over Bembridge Lifeboat Station', taken by Jamie Russell from the Isle of Wight. Jamie had been chasing showers and storms from west to east across the island in an attempt to capture some of the incredible rainbows. He reached Bembridge as the final shower departed and, in a panic, waded into waist-deep water, fully dressed, just to compose this scene!

‘Sunset’ - Photo © Aung Chan Thar, 'Royal Meteorological Society Weather Photographer of the Year 2022 – Mobile Phone Winner'

In the second year of this competition category, the outstanding quality of entries meant that the judges decided to combine the top images with the main category to form the public vote. However, the judges were left in no doubt that the mobile phone winner should be Aung Chan Thar from Myanmar with 'Sunset'.

All the winners and finalists can now be seen on the RMetS website.