2020 Weather Photographer of the Year winners prove that you can take stunning photos in any weather

When shooting outdoors, most of us will try to go out when the weather is fine, searching for the perfect light. But you can take stunning photos in any weather and light: from scorching midday sun to a snow blizzard. This is exactly what winners of 2020 Weather Photographer of the Year prove us. The winning and shortlisted photos will leave you in awe, and they’ll make you go out with your camera even when the weather is terrible.

The Weather Photographer of the Year is organized by the Royal Meteorological Society. This year, the contest received over 7,700 entries from all over the world, and the judges had a tough task of choosing 26 shortlists, runners-up, and the overall winner. This year’s Weather Photographer of the Year is Rudolf Sulgan for his photo Blizzard. The 2018 image shows Brooklyn Bridge in New York during a strong blizzard as El Nino’s periodic warming of water disrupted normal weather patterns. “My main concern and inspiration are that my images hopefully do a small part in combating climate change,” Sulgan said.

Liz Bentley, Chief Executive of the Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS) and panel judge, said: “The weather affects all of our lives and this picture captures that perfectly. Brooklyn Bridge provides an iconic backdrop, but it is the combined effect of snow, wind and freezing temperatures on the people trying to cross the bridge that tells the whole story – it sends a shiver down my spine.”

The Young Weather Photographer of the Year 2020 (age 17 and under) was awarded to 17-year-old Kolesnik Stephanie Sergeevna from Russia. Her image Frozen Life shows a leaf stuck in the ice. “I wanted to take this shot because it is a ‘part of sunny Summer frozen in ice,’ Sergeevna said. “Time seems to have stopped for this leaf.”

The 26 shortlisted photos were shared with the public to vote. Photographers from 15 countries were a part of it, and the photo Baikal Treasure was chosen as the winner. It was taken by Alexey Trofimov from Siberia.

Take a look at the remaining finalist photos below. And the next time you feel like cozying up on a rainy or snowy day, think again. Perhaps that will be the day when you’ll take a stunning photo you’ll love.