Rare Circular Rainbow Captured off Singer Island in Florida
In late January, an extraordinary natural phenomenon occurred off the coast of Singer Island in Florida. A resident of the island managed to capture a rare full circle rainbow after an afternoon storm. The stunning image quickly caught the attention of locals and even NASA, sparking curiosity and wonder.
The circular rainbow, resembling sinkholes in the sky or crop circles in clouds of cotton, was a sight to behold. It was reminiscent of a floating glazed donut, captivating the imagination of those who witnessed it. The image was captured by NASA’s Terra satellite and also by a group of perplexed boaters who were fishing in the Gulf of Mexico off Key West. While it is unclear if the satellite image and the video posted by BlacktipH Fishing are of the same clouds, both instances highlight the extraordinary nature of these cavum clouds, also known as “fallstreak holes” or “hole-punch clouds.”
Adam Voiland, a senior science writer at NASA Earth Observatory, shed some light on the phenomenon. He explained that fallstreak holes occur when airplanes pass through mid-level altocumulus clouds that contain supercooled water droplets. These droplets remain in liquid form even in freezing temperatures due to their purity, lacking contaminants such as dust, pollen, or bacteria that typically cause ice crystals to form. However, when the air is disturbed by a plane’s wings or propellers, the temperature drops further, causing the supercooled droplets to freeze and form ice crystals.
“The ice crystals eventually grow heavy enough that they begin to fall out of the sky, leaving a void in the cloud layer,” Voiland explained. “The falling ice crystals are often visible in the center of the holes as wispy trails of precipitation that never reach the ground.”
Meteorologists have observed these peculiar cloud formations since the 1940s. In fact, a photograph published in a 1968 edition of Weatherwise magazine titled “Hole-in-cloud: A meteorological whodunit?” showcased a fallstreak hole, sparking intrigue and speculation. For years, airplanes were believed to contribute to the formation of these holes. However, studies conducted by scientists at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and NASA’s Langley Research Center in 2010 and 2011 directly linked the holes to passing airplanes and the freezing of supercooled water droplets. They also discovered that elongated holes, known as “canal clouds,” can occur if a plane passes through the cloud at a shallow angle.
The occurrence of fallstreak holes is more likely during winter in the subtropics, as mid- to high-level clouds are common during the cooler months. Additionally, the freezing level in the atmosphere is lower in winter, making the holes more visible to observers on the ground. With over 1,000 flights arriving at Miami International Airport each day, there are numerous opportunities for planes to encounter the atmospheric conditions necessary for cavum clouds to form.
This rare circular rainbow off Singer Island serves as a reminder of the beauty and complexity of the natural world. It captures our imagination and reminds us that there is still much to discover and understand about the wonders that surround us. As we continue to explore and document these extraordinary phenomena, we gain a deeper appreciation for the intricate workings of our planet’s atmosphere.
Kimberly Miller, a veteran journalist for The Palm Beach Post, has been covering real estate and its impact on South Florida’s environment. Her dedication to reporting on local stories that matter is commendable, and her work provides valuable insights into the region’s growth and development. To stay updated on real estate news, be sure to subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly roundup. If you have any news tips, feel free to send them to kmiller@pbpost.com.
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