Here's why San Diego's sunsets are even more magnificent in the winter
San Diego’s sunsets are pretty spectacular most of the year, but there’s something special about those magnificent hues of red, orange and pink during the winter months that can’t be described with words.
Thankfully, we have cameras in the palms of our hands to capture the spectacle, as so many San Diegans did Monday evening.
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But what makes those winter sunsets, painted in gorgeous color across the sky, so exceptional?
It hinges on two main factors: the air density, or lack thereof, and the type of clouds in the sky, NBC 7 Meteorologist Sheena Parveen explains.
When there are fewer particles in the atmosphere—less marine layer, smog and haze—colors appear brighter, Parveen said. More particles, on the other hand, scatter light, reduce intensity and make colors look hazy. This phenomenon is known as Rayleigh Scattering.
During the winter months, the air is crisp and clear, allowing for light to shine through the atmosphere with less scattering, Parveen said.
“The air is drier and cooler, so the particles in the atmosphere cause pictures to be clearer, and just to the naked eye, things are more vibrant,” Parveen said.
Rayleigh Scattering also contributes to the type of colors visible at certain times of day. During sunrise and sunset, light rays travel further through oxygen and nitrogen gases in the atmosphere, which allows viewers to see those spectacular hues.
The clouds make a difference in the color intensity as well. Mid- to high-level clouds reflect light the best, producing vibrant shades for spectacular sunsets.
Parveen said that because these clouds are higher in the atmosphere, they are colder and are, at times, made of ice crystals that refract light. Low clouds, like the often-seen marine layer, can prevent hues from reaching the eye.
The combination code lined up perfectly on Monday to unlock a masterpiece in the sky. Take a look at some photos from NBC 7 viewers:
