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Rare rays seen above Sydney

Ben Domensino, Friday June 9, 2017 - 16:49 AEST

A rare display of anticrepuscular rays could be seen from Sydney's Tamarama Beach on Thursday evening.

These serene shafts of light are a mirrored version of the more frequently observed crepuscular rays and they are caused by sunlight shining through gaps in clouds.

Anticrepuscular rays appear to converge on a point of the horizon directly opposite the setting sun, at a spot called the antisolar point. This merging effect is an optical illusion and the beams of light and shadow are actually parallel.

On rare occasions, columns of light can be seen stretching across the entire sky joining crepuscular and anticrepuscular rays on opposite horizons.

Anticrepuscular rays can occur at any time of year.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2017

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A very wet weekend for southeast Qld, northeast NSW

11:48 AEST A prolonged rainfall event is set to bring large totals to parts of NSW and Qld from Saturday, with possible heavy falls and flooding. A low-pressure system in the Coral Sea, a deepening coastal trough and persistent easterlies will bring moisture-laden air into southeast Qld and northeast NSW will bring days of rainfall to the region. While there is not a drop of rain on the radar over southeast Qld and Northeast NSW on Friday morning, the mass of cloud associated with a low in the Coral Sea will enhance rainfall over the weekend.