Are sunrises more vivid in winter? “One Great January Sunrise” on Roan Mountain might provide the evidence.
A majority of people favor sunsets over sunrises mainly because of their appearances at the time of day. Unless you are an early morning person, you are more likely to see and favor the colors of a setting sun.
For those few who choose to pursue the most elegant sunrises, the winter months in the Southern Appalachians present the finest offerings. Due to less smog and humidity in the atmosphere, the air is clearer and freer. Also, cirrus and altocumulus clouds are higher in the atmosphere in winter, resulting in an increased reflection of the colored light.
Sunrises such as the one pictured, which was taken in subzero January temperatures, serve to increase the color dynamic when viewed from Roan Mountain on the Tennessee/North Carolina border.
At over 5,800-feet elevation with no vision barriers other than one’s frozen breath, the scene appears unreal. It’s one of those “you’ve got to see it to believe it” moments that humans rarely encounter. For the fortunate few willing to brave the conditions, the red, blues, oranges and purples that mix with the clouds is an unforgettable event.
Thomas Mabry – Honey Badger Images
Many of the HoneyBadgerImages are on display at Instagram.com/honeybadgerimages