Incredible footage captured by US Air Force of rare St Elmo's fire weather phenomenon

A rare weather phenomenon known as St Elmo's fire has been captured on camera by the crew of a US Air Force plane.

Crew on board the aircraft, which belongs to the 50th Air Refuelling Squadron based at MacDill Air Force base in Tampa, Florida, filmed incredible footage of the phenomenon which sees luminous plasma created in an atmospheric electric field.

The video was shot as US Air Force aircraft were evacuated ahead of Hurricane Idalia.

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St Elmo's fire is a weather phenomenon that occurs when an electric field around an object like a ship's mast or the wing of an aircraft causes ionisation of the air molecules.

This produces a glow and sparks which are easily visible in low-light conditions. However, it is rare for the event to be captured on camera.

According to nautical myths and traditions, St Elmo's fire takes its name from St Erasmus of Formia, who is also known as St Elmo, the patron saint of sailors, as the phenomenon can warn of an impending lightning strike.

The US Air Force is currently preparing to potentially evacuate areas that will be affected by Hurricane Idalia.

The storm has reached the west coast of Florida and the National Guard has been deployed in response.

Three thousand guardsmen have been mobilised across the state for preparedness and response efforts, and an additional 1,800 guardsmen will be sent to the state, said Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh.