Recent research shows that rainbows will become more frequent in northern latitudes while the frequency may fall among tropical places.
Frequencies of Rainbows and the Increase/Decrease in Rainfall
SciTechDaily notes how scientists from the University of Hawai'i conducted this study. It was also published in the Global Environmental Change publication.
According to the study, climate change gives people more chances to glimpse a rainbow. In fact, they predict that by the year 2100, there will be an increase of 5% in days with rainbows compared to the beginning of the 21st century and at typical locations of land.
This increase will be most evident in extremely elevated areas as well as places in northern latitudes. In such places, it is expected that global warming would lead to more rain and less slow. However, in other areas where climate change will result in less rainfall, rainbow days are expected to be fewer.
How Do Rainbows Form?
These rainbows come to be when the droplets of rain refract sunlight. Thus, rainfall and sunlight must be present ingredients for rainbows to form.
Moreover, certain activities, such as utilizing fossil fuels, lead to the warming of the atmosphere. This results in the alterations of rainfall systems and quantities and the cover of clouds.
How Will Climate Change Affect Rainbows?
Lead author Kimberly Carlson expressed gratitude for how the sight of such ephemeral and captivating rainbows was a routine part of the author's life. Carlson also expressed curiosity regarding how climate change will impact these opportunities to glimpse rainbows.
According to EarthSky, the study authors noted how certain places from across the globe are warming up and will, resultantly, have lesser amounts of snow and more instances of rain. Hence, such areas have heightened chances of seeing even more rainbows.
However, in other areas, drought may eat up the rain necessary for a rainbow to come to be. Nevertheless, on an overall global scale, there is an average increase of 5% for rainbows to appear.
The scientists mapped out rainbow instances using Flickr photos as part of their procedures. They examined different rainbow photos taken by individuals across the globe. Based on the photo's location and precipitation maps, the researchers were able to come up with a rainbow prediction model. They, then, utilized this model to look predict present and incoming occurrences of rainbows across various continents.
Shedding a New Light on the Effects of Climate Change
Camilo Mora from the University of Hawaii noted how the impacts of climate change on livelihood and health had been a common study focus. However, this recent study was a chance to look into how climate change would directly impact the environment's aesthetics. EarthSky notes how these rainbows are not just outcomes of scientific elements but also emotional parts of earth life.
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