The best weather moments of Star Wars
The impact of the weather a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away
The Star Wars saga is full of iconic characters and unforgettable moments spread across a vast "galaxy far, far away."
The nine films that make up "the Skywalker Saga" take place in other-worldly environments with their own weather systems that impact the beloved characters.
Here are the best weather moments from each Star Wars film.
Actor Mark Hamill on the set of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope written, directed and produced by Georges Lucas.
(Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis / Getty Images)
Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
Binary Sunset
One of the lasting images of the film that started it all is Luke Skywalker staring off at the twin suns of Tatooine. The iconic John Williams score swells as the young farm boy dreams of what his life could be if he can ever leave his simple home.
Space Debris Shower
Luke and his new friends aboard the Millennium Falcon are met with a storm of space debris as they travel to meet up with Princess Leia’s father, Bail Organa. The debris is the remnants of the planet Alderaan, which the Death Star has just destroyed.
Luke instructs Han Solo to head toward "that small moon," to which Obi-Wan Kenobi replies, "That’s no moon. It’s a space station."
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Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Some Like It Hoth
The second Star Wars theatrical release opens on the ice planet, Hoth. Luke Skywalker is on patrol just outside the rebel base when he is attacked by a Wampa, a creature similar to the mythical Yeti.
Luke escapes the Wampa’s cave but is stranded in the brutal cold of Hoth as a snowstorm rages. Just as he is nearing death, Han Solo arrives to rescue him riding a Tauntaun. The frigid temperatures cause Han’s Tauntaun to drop dead just as he arrives. Han cuts the Tauntaun open and shoves Luke inside it to keep him warm while they wait for help to arrive.
LAS VEGAS - MAY 29: Actor Harrison Ford's Han Solo character from "Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi" is shown on screen while musicians perform during "Star Wars: In Concert" at the Orleans Arena May 29, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller / Getty Images)
Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
Beautiful Day on Endor
In Return of the Jedi, the Rebels make their final stand with the help of some local Ewoks on the forest moon of Endor. The insurgents could not have asked for a lovelier day to defeat the evil Empire.
The Rebels enjoy the weather long into the night as they celebrate their victory with songs, bonfires, and one notable funeral pyre.
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Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
Fateful Dust Storm
While young Anakin Skywalker is showing Qui Gon, Padme, and Jar Jar around his home planet of Tatooine, a dust storm begins to brew. Jira, a local fruit saleswoman, says to Anakin, "Oh, my bones are aching. Storm’s coming up, Ani. You better get home quick!"
Anakin invites his new friends back to his house to ride out the storm, where Jedi Master Qui Gon senses something special about the nine-year-old boy. This eventually leads to Anakin leaving his home with Qui Gon to become a Jedi.
I’m sure that worked out just fine.
A location for Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace in Tunisia. The cast and crew of the film had to contend with their own dust storm while filming on location.
(Photo by: Mikel Bilbao/VWPics/Universal Images Group / Getty Images)
Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
Rainy Day at The Clone Factory
Before the titular clones attack, Obi-Wan Kenobi investigates the planet where the clones were made. The turbulent water world of Kamino greets the Jedi Master with torrential rain and violent thunderstorms.
The wet weather makes for a dramatic and slippery battle between Obi-Wan and Jango Fett.
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
A River of Lava
The climactic scene of the Revenge of the Sith takes place on the fiery, volcanic planet of Mustafar. Obi-Wan Kenobi and his apprentice Anakin Skywalker battle it out as molten rock shoots into the air and lands all around them.
By the end of the fight, they are balanced on a piece of metal floating in a river of lava. Obi-Wan leaps onto the bank of the lava flow and announces that the battle is over as he has gained the high ground. Anakin attempts to jump over him.
I’m sure that worked out just fine.
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 16: (L-R) Producer Kathleen Kennedy, actors Peter Mayhew, Mark Hamill, Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, director J.J. Abrams and moderator Anthony Breznican speak onstage during Star Wars Celebration 2015 on April 16, 2015 in Anaheim, California.
(Photo by Jesse Grant / Getty Images)
Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
Earthquake on Starkiller Base
The continuation of the Star Wars saga introduces a new cast of characters, including Rey and Kylo Ren. The two angsty force wielders engage in a vicious lightsaber duel on the planet Ilum, which has been terraformed and converted into Starkiller Base. Snow falls around them as Rey gets the upper hand on the killer of Han Solo.
Just as Rey stops herself from dealing Kylo Ren a finishing blow, an explosion inside the planet causes a massive earthquake that splits the ground between the two dueling Jedi. After taking one final look at each other across the brand-new chasm, they each escape the disintegrating planet.
Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
Red Salt Clouds
The final battle of the penultimate installment of the Saga takes place on the white surface of Crait. Though it may look like the ice planet Hoth, Crait is covered in salt rather than snow.
The Resistance fighters attack the First Order using V-4XD ski speeders, which drag a stabilizer strut across the ground to prevent wobbling. The speeders kick salt and underlying sediment into the air, creating red clouds that trail behind them.
The Crait scenes in the Last Jedi were filmed in the Uyuni Salt Flats of Bolivia. Though they haven't been the site of any space battles (that we know of), the Uyuni Salt Flats likely have similar features to the salt flats seen in the fictional world of Crait.
The Salar de Uyuni, a flat salt plain that covers just over 4,000 square miles and lies at 12,000 ft above sea level in Uyuni, Bolivia.
(Getty Images)
Episode IX: Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Somehow Lightning Returned
In the final installment of the Skywalker Saga, the evil Emperor Palpatine returns and holes up on the planet Exegol. When confronted, Palpatine quickly neutralizes Rey and the newly-not-evil Ben Solo.
As the final battle involving thousands of ships rages above him, Palpatine creates a lightning storm with his fingertips and shoots it into the sky. The lightning disables many of the Resistance ships, and it appears that the Emperor has finally squashed the pesky rebellion.
However, before he can finish the job, Rey regains her strength and gets back on her feet. The Emperor focuses his lightning on her, which she reflects with her lightsaber, killing him for (hopefully) the final time.
BONUS: Rogue One (2016)
One for the Rogue
In the 2016 Star Wars spin-off film Rogue One, the Empire tests their newly developed weapon, "The Death Star," on the planet Jedha. As the battle station gets into position, it perfectly covers Jedha’s sun, giving the citizens of Jedha City a once-in-a-lifetime view of a solar eclipse.
I’m sure that worked out just fine.