I took this photo of the sunset one day last week and thought that I had seen a lot of distinctively beautiful sunsets so far this winter. Looking back through my pictures, I found at least seven in just the last three weeks. I started to wonder if I was just noticing sunsets more often, taking more photos, or if lovely sunsets really occurred more often in the winter. It seems that there may be some scientific reasons for sunsets being better during the winter.
NOAA meteorologist Stephen Corfidi says that the peak sunset season for the Northeastern United States is November through February due to several meteorological factors. Those factors are lower humidity and cleaner air. This allows more saturated colors to reach our eyes, and because twilight lasts longer closer to the solstices, sunsets also last longer.
Clouds figure into the picture, too. Well-defined cloud systems are more likely to happen in the winter, and they can provide a backdrop for the setting sun and reflect the beautiful colors back to those viewing the sunset.
I've simplified the explanation a bit because it involved words like "spectrally pure" (vibrantly colored) and "Rayleigh scattering" (the scattering of light by particles much smaller than the wavelength of the radiation). But if you'd like to read more, you can read the original Vox article here. And for a real primary source, here is Dr. Perfidi's original paper (complete with further reading on the physics and meteorology of the twilight sky).
Or maybe you don't need any further reading but just want to get out and view beautiful winter sunsets. Enjoy, whatever approach you take!
Gorgeous! I've always said that sunsets are stronger/more beautiful/whatever in the winter months and now I know why!
ReplyDeleteTom and I were just talking about this very thing last night! (He's going to love that Vox article, so thank you for the link.) The sunsets are just spectacular here right now, pretty much every night. And now I know why! XO
ReplyDeleteI'm fascinated to hear that there's a scientific reason why the sunsets are so good at this time of year! I just figured it was because sunset is earlier and I'm more likely to be looking at it and therefore notice it more. Whatever the reason, though, I'm always delighted to see a beautiful sunset!
ReplyDeleteThat is fascinating, Bonny. I have been enjoying those spectacular sunsets and also sunrises lately. The colors are just stunning. It's nice to know that it is not all caused by pollution - LOL. Thanks for the information!
ReplyDeleteSunsets in winter have so much color (as do sunrises). I'm not in a great place to see the western horizon, but do see the peach/orange colored clouds of the sunsets and, since I can see the mountains clearly, I watch as they turn peachy-pink! They look magical!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post! We've had amazing sunsets in Oregon (when it isn't raining!).
ReplyDeleteI'm always happy to find explanations for things! It's been gray and cloudy here for the past couple of days but I'm hoping for more lovely winter sunsets.
DeleteI've noticed this as well but never taken the time to consider why. Thank you for doing the legwork and sharing it with us. I also appreciate that it gives me something to enjoy about this time of year.
ReplyDeleteI love this! And thank you for teaching me something new today! I am off to read the Vox article! (and what a gorgeous sunset!)
ReplyDeleteHow interesting. I have always thought winter sunsets were more spectacular and now I know why. I can't see the sun rise from our deck but I have a pretty good view of the sunsets. Sometimes when the world gets to me, I think we'd be better off if we just made a cup of tea and watched the sun go down.
ReplyDeletegorgeous shot!
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