Strange Pillar of Light Appears over Detroit April 2023
A strange pillar of light appeared over Detroit on 18th April 2023 and was captured by many internet users. Photo: High Strangeness
On the evening of the 18th April 2023, a strange pillar of light has been seen by hundreds of people in the sky over Detroit. What is going on?
The Pillar of Light Over Detroit
Many people have taken to reddit and other internet forums to discuss a strange sight seen over Detroit last night. A bright orange pillar of light appearing to shoot up from the earth and into the atmosphere was visible in the sky for several hours in the Detroit sky on the evening of April, 18th.
Here are some captivating photos of the event:
The Detroit light pillar over an urban streetscape
The strange pillar of light over Detroit's skyline
The pillar of light in Detroit over a suburban home
Previous Strange Pillars of Light over Detroit
A strange pillar of light over a house in Northern Michigan in February, 2021
This isn’t the first time a strange pillar of light has appeared over Detroit in recent years. Many people reported seeing a similar light in Northern Michigan in February 2021.
Possible Explanations for the Pillars of Light over Detroit
In colder climates, when the ice particles near the ground are light enough to stay suspended in the air, light pillars can form. If the atmosphere is still, these hexagonally shaped ice particles can stack up vertically while drifting through the air.
This creates a reflective surface that can reflect light from sources such as street lamps, moonlight, or sunlight, creating a mirror-like effect in the sky.
According to the National Weather Service in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the taller the crystals in the atmosphere, the higher the pillar. For light pillars to form, the weather conditions need to be wind-free, stable, and cold.
The temperature at ground level is typically below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, though no specific temperature threshold has been determined for light pillar formation.
Sightings of these pillars of light has become more common in recent years due to increased weather extremes caused by climate change. The pillars may not be paranormal in origin but they are certainly unsettling.
Do you think the lights seen in Detroit were just light pillars or something more sinister? Let us know in the comments.
If you enjoyed learning about light pillars in Detroit you might also be interested in the strange dome of light over Russia or ball lightning.
