A rare fogbow has captured the attention of amateur photographer Marie Johnson in Cobar, New South Wales, marking a delightful moment for her. Unlike rainbows, which are formed by larger raindrops, fogbows arise from much smaller water droplets.
This particular optical phenomenon is infrequently seen in western NSW, making its appearance even more extraordinary. Although there was no treasure waiting at its conclusion, the fogbow provided Ms. Johnson with a unique photographic opportunity that she will cherish.
Last week, while on her property, the Cobar local was astonished to observe a soft, white arc stretching across the landscape. “I’ve never witnessed anything like it before,” Ms. Johnson expressed. “It was incredible to see it right on our farm.” She had been hoping to photograph the fog against the backdrop of an old house, but the sight of the fogbow left her in awe. “When I turned around, I exclaimed, ‘Oh my God, look at that!’”
Initially, she mistook the phenomenon for a “large white rainbow.” “That’s why I decided to share the photos on social media,” she explained. “Then, other users, including travelers, informed me that it was called a fogbow. I was completely amazed.” Unfortunately, the fogbow only lasted about thirty minutes before dissipating.
According to Jonathan Howe, a senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, fogbows consist of tiny fog droplets that are significantly smaller than the raindrops that create conventional rainbows. He noted that such phenomena are relatively rare in Australia. “We often see images of fogbows from regions like Canada, Europe, and northern Asia due to their geographical positioning,” Mr. Howe remarked.
He further explained that fogbows are particularly uncommon in the warmer, drier regions such as western NSW. “For a fogbow to form, the presence of fog is essential, as mist droplets are much larger,” he added. “Fog is less prevalent in western NSW compared to the eastern regions, so witnessing this in Cobar is quite remarkable. Fogbows are more likely to occur in the southern parts of Australia, especially during winter, when the sun is lower in the sky.”
Even rarer than fogbows are lunar fogbows, which occur at night under specific conditions. “These are incredibly uncommon,” Mr. Howe noted. “The moon must be positioned at a precise angle, and the sky needs to be devoid of clouds.”
