Where are the rainbows in the snowing sunshine? - Snowboarding Forum

Music Moves · 02-23-2009, 12:22 PM

Maybe it's due to the fact that the snow is accompanied by many clouds, but I can't recall ever seeing rainbows when it was snowing and the sun was visible.

Got into this conversation yesterday while it was, um, not happening again.

Experiences? Thoughts?

Oh, and I had a blast on my second day with the Greg Maxwell Hatchet!

tomtom88 · 02-23-2009, 12:26 PM

rainbows arent present in snow because it doesnt refract light the same way raindrops do. rain drops have pyramid-like structure and refract light as a rainbow. snow has numerouse geometric patterns that have conflicting refraction patterns, thus no rainbow.

Music Moves · 02-23-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomtom88

rainbows arent present in snow because it doesnt refract light the same way raindrops do. rain drops have pyramid-like structure and refract light as a rainbow. snow has numerouse geometric patterns that have conflicting refraction patterns, thus no rainbow.

Yeah, I basically said that it seems like it's because water allows light to pass through in the conversation.

But mainly, I just wanted to talk about snowfall while the sun is shining. One of the most beautiful things ever.

The wind was ugly yesterday though... very ugly... 80-100 mph gusts.

tomtom88 · 02-23-2009, 01:27 PM

ouch. reminds me of my first trip up this season. mountain virtually disappeared from under my feet it was so windy. i went to breck the day after thanksgiving. and yes snowfall while the sun is out is gorgeous. like lots of diamonds falling to earth hahaa.

02-23-2009, 01:51 PM

yeah tomtom basically said it, different wavelengths (colors) of light refract at different angles, so when light passes through raindrops the colors separate.

i like when it's snowing when the sun is out. but i don't like when it's sunny with just snow on the ground, i'd prefer it to be cloudy.

Music Moves · 02-23-2009, 09:39 PM

Dude, the wind had me at a diagonal of 45 degrees on the lift one time yesterday... not cool... cold in fact.

It blew me so hard on the board one time that it turned me in a little bumpy area, causing me to snag a rail and slamming me on my ass... hard.

Yeah, I liked it much more when the wind would blow away the clouds, chill, then show me the sunshine through the snowfall.

02-23-2009, 12:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
Music Moves Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Under the influence... Posts: 1,152	Where are the rainbows in the snowing sunshine? Maybe it's due to the fact that the snow is accompanied by many clouds, but I can't recall ever seeing rainbows when it was snowing and the sun was visible. Got into this conversation yesterday while it was, um, not happening again. Experiences? Thoughts? Oh, and I had a blast on my second day with the Greg Maxwell Hatchet!

02-23-2009, 12:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
tomtom88 -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,639	rainbows arent present in snow because it doesnt refract light the same way raindrops do. rain drops have pyramid-like structure and refract light as a rainbow. snow has numerouse geometric patterns that have conflicting refraction patterns, thus no rainbow. __________________ Take yourself to higher places.

02-23-2009, 01:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
tomtom88 -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,639	ouch. reminds me of my first trip up this season. mountain virtually disappeared from under my feet it was so windy. i went to breck the day after thanksgiving. and yes snowfall while the sun is out is gorgeous. like lots of diamonds falling to earth hahaa. __________________ Take yourself to higher places.

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02-23-2009, 01:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
Gustov Guest Posts: n/a	yeah tomtom basically said it, different wavelengths (colors) of light refract at different angles, so when light passes through raindrops the colors separate. i like when it's snowing when the sun is out. but i don't like when it's sunny with just snow on the ground, i'd prefer it to be cloudy.

02-23-2009, 09:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
Music Moves Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Under the influence... Posts: 1,152	Dude, the wind had me at a diagonal of 45 degrees on the lift one time yesterday... not cool... cold in fact. It blew me so hard on the board one time that it turned me in a little bumpy area, causing me to snag a rail and slamming me on my ass... hard. Yeah, I liked it much more when the wind would blow away the clouds, chill, then show me the sunshine through the snowfall.