With voting now open until 5 November 2026, photography and meteorology lovers from around the globe are invited to cast their vote and select their favourite image in the Weather Photographer of the Year 2026 competition.

Now entering its second decade, the Royal Meteorological Society’s (RMetS) competition serves as an international platform to raise awareness of environmental issues putting our planet at risk, including heatwaves, flooding, and wildfires – while showcasing the awe-inspiring beauty and power of our weather.

The expert panel of judges had a tough job whittling down from over 5,500 amazing entries from around the world. Finalists were selected based on creativity, meteorological interest, and originality. It is now over to the public to have their say. The shortlist gallery for the public vote is available on the Royal Meteorological Society’s website and features a wealth of outstanding weather and climate photography.

View the shortlist on the RMetS website.

The 30 shortlisted images capture a diverse array of dramatic conditions across 13 countries, highlighting rare, powerful moments: from mist rolling over Mallorcan hills, brilliant crepuscular sunbeams across bridges, to delicate “icy hearts” forming on mountain mesh fences, double rainbows arching perfectly across the Scottish Highlands, and a rare single-exposure triple lightning bolt striking major New York skyscrapers.

The collection also explores the realities of climate change. Images document agricultural lands engulfed by heat-driven blazes in Iran, severe wildfires burning through the Scottish Cairngorms, collapsing glacial ice calving surges in Patagonia, and densely populated communities completely isolated and surrounded by rising floodwaters in Bangladesh.

The shortlist gallery provides insights into the science behind the weather phenomena and the stories behind the images – as well as the photographers’ adventures and the techniques used to capture them.

Professor Liz Bentley, Chief Executive of the RMetS, emphasised the competition’s role in engaging people with weather and climate science: 

“This competition continues to show us just how powerful photography can be in connecting people with weather and our changing climate. The incredible images shortlisted this year don’t just showcase the breathtaking, dramatic beauty of our skies, they also serve as a critical reminder of the impacts of climate change. With over 5,500 entries from around the world, our judging panel had an incredibly tough task in shortlisting the images and deciding on the winning images, and we are now delighted to hand over to the public to vote for their favourite.”

The 2026 panel featured experts across meteorology, climate science, and photography. Judges include Professor Liz Bentley, ITV Weather Presenters Laura Tobin and Alex Beresford, photography experts Dennis Oswald and Tom Prater, and SheClicks founder Angela Nicholson. While the public chooses the ‘Public Favourite’, the expert panel selects the ultimate category winners.

Competition Timeline:
•    Public Vote Closes: 5 November 2026 (23:59 GMT)
•    Winner Announcement: 17 November 2026