Sun dogs, also known as parhelia or mock suns, are one of the most frequently occurring ice haloes and are most easily seen when the sun is low in the sky. Sun dogs can be blindingly
bright, or pale, coloured patches of light on either side of the sun. They are visible all over the world and at any time of year, no matter what the temperature is at ground level.
However, I always associate them with cold winter mornings; perhaps they are simply more noticeable then because the sun rises later in the morning, when I am already up and about.