Northern California Is One Of The Only Places To See This Rare Rainbow

The fact that Northern California is unlike any other place in the world is old news to us. However, we’re constantly discovering things that show us just how unique our region of the Golden State truly is. For instance, few people realize that Northern California is home to one of the rarest natural phenomenons in the world—the moonbow. You may be thinking, “What the heck is a moonbow?” It’s basically a super rare rainbow that is only visible under the perfect conditions, and it’s a sight that everybody should make an effort to see.

Everybody knows that Yosemite is one of Northern California's greatest destinations. Boasting an endless amount of natural beauty, we're always discovering things that makes this park so unique, and moonbows are one of them.

At Yosemite National Park, the spring season is also considered "moonbow season". As the name implies, moonbows are like rainbows...except they aren't seen in the daylight. Instead, they are comprised of light that is reflected off the moon, then refracted through mist.

Moonbows are considered an incredibly rare natural phenomenon. In fact, only a few places in the world actually experience them. Other locations where moonbows can be seen are places like Waimea Falls in Hawaii and Victoria Falls in Zambia.

However, the conditions have to be truly perfect in order for a moonbow to make its appearance. There has to be a full moon, a cloudless sky, and plenty of mist being produced from a waterfall. In addition, moonbows aren't visible to the naked eye, so be extra sure to bring a camera!

Moonbows are a dream for any nature photographer, especially set against the dreamy Yosemite scenery. When it comes to capturing moonbows on film or digital photography, it's all about timing and keeping patient.

You can attempt to capture a moonbow for yourself by visiting Yosemite Falls (both the Lower and Upper portions), along with Glacier Point. These are known to be prime spots for moonbow viewing. For predictions about exact times to see a moonbow, along with photography tips and ticks, check out the 2019 Yosemite Moonbow Predictions website here.

Have you had the rare pleasure of seeing a moonbow with your own eyes? This is definitely a stunning sight to witness! Yosemite is just full of surprises. Check out our article of 7 Fascinating Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Yosemite for more.

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Northern California Is One Of The Only Places You Can See This Super Rare Rainbow

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