What is a snowbow, what causes the stunning phenomenon and where have they been seen in the UK?
RAINBOWS are caused when the sun is refracted through rain, but what happens when it is snowing?
A spectacular snowbow was captured on camera during December's bout of snow - but what causes it?
What is a snowbow? What causes it?
The rare phenomenon takes place when the sunlight is refracted through snowflakes in air.
Technically it is actually still a rainbow because the light must pass through water droplets in the air and then split to form the spectrum.
A snowbow only happens when the sun is low and it is snowing, which is rare in the UK.
Often this will be when it is snowing at either sunrise or sunset.
More on weather and seasons
Where have snowbows been seen in the UK?
The stunning sight was captured over the Derbyshire Peak District.
The images were taken at the summit of Mam Tor, near Castleton on December 17.
And the rising sun made the scene even more breathtaking, as it gave the pink colour tone to the rainbow.
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