Lumivyöriä

Lumivyöriä refers to the phenomenon of light waves bending as they pass through a layer of air near the surface of the Earth, known as the troposphere. This bending of light is a result of the difference in air density between the layer of air near the surface and the air above.

The term "unikset" is sometimes used interchangeably with "lumoivyöriä" in this context. However, in some cases, "unikset" can also refer to specific types of lumivyöriä, characterized by a unique optical effect.

The phenomenon of lumivyöriä is often observed during periods of high humidity and temperature gradients, typically at dawn or dusk. Under these conditions, the bending of light can cause a range of visual effects, including glories, light pillars, and halos.

Glories are circular or ring-shaped optical effects that appear around the shadow of an object or in the sky, caused by the refraction of light as it passes through ice crystals or water droplets in the air. Light pillars, on the other hand, are columns of light that appear to extend from the horizon to the sky, caused by the reflection of light off ice crystals or other particles in the air.

Halos are circular or ring-shaped optical effects that appear around the sun or moon, caused by the refraction of light as it passes through ice crystals in the atmosphere. These effects can be a sign of good weather, although under certain conditions, lumivyöriä can also be associated with atmospheric instability or the approach of a storm.