'Sun halo' spotted in parts of Simcoe County

A rare sun halo can be seen in Springwater Township. Marian Jonkman Sweetland's son Jesse took the photo on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. (Marian Jonkman Sweetland/ Facebook)

People waking up in the Barrie area on Thursday were treated to a rare weather phenomenon for this part of Ontario.

Sightings of a “sun halo” were reported in Barrie, Innisfil and Springwater Township, with many taking photos and sharing them on social media.

According to Environment Canada, this happens when frigid air forms ice crystals in the atmosphere. These reflect and refract the sunlight, which creates a rainbow ring around the sun.

It was -24 C in Barrie when sightings were reported to Environment Canada.

The weather office says sun halos are rare this far south. They’re pretty common in the arctic, and in parts of northern Ontario.