Why a rainbow never appears without rain 🌈

You might only see it a few times a year...

And yet, almost everyone stops for a moment when a rainbow appears.

 A rainbow is perhaps the most beautiful gift after a summer rain shower. Discover how a rainbow forms, why you see them so often in the summer, and why rain is sometimes more beautiful than you think.

You might recognize it.

You look outside, the rain stops, and suddenly someone exclaims:

"Look, a rainbow!"

Within a few seconds, everyone grabs their phone. Because no matter how often you see one, a rainbow remains special.

But did you know that a rainbow can only form when sunlight and raindrops come together at precisely the right moment?

In fact, a rainbow is the most beautiful proof that a rain shower can also bring something beautiful.

How does a rainbow form?

A rainbow forms when sunlight shines through tiny raindrops.

The drops act as small prisms. They bend the sunlight, causing the white light to split into all the colors of the rainbow.

That's why you only see a rainbow when the sun is behind you and the rain is falling in front of you.

And you might have noticed it already: the lower the sun, the more beautifully a rainbow is often visible.

Why do you see rainbows so often in the summer?

During the summer, the conditions are often perfect.

After a warm day, short, localized showers frequently pass through. Even before the last raindrops have fallen, the sun breaks through again.

And that is precisely the moment when you have a chance to see a rainbow.

Perhaps that's also why a summer rain shower isn't always so bothersome.

Did you know this already?

🌈 A rainbow is actually a complete circle. From the ground, you usually only see the upper half.

🌈 Sometimes, a double rainbow even appears. In this case, you see a second, lighter arc above the first, with the colors running in the exact opposite order.

🌈 No two people see exactly the same rainbow. Everyone looks at the raindrops from a slightly different angle.

🌈 Did you know that you can never reach a rainbow? No matter how far you walk...It always stays just as far away.

Why do we get so happy from a rainbow?

Perhaps because a rainbow always appears unexpectedly.

You can't plan it, you can't hold onto it, and it usually only lasts a few minutes.

Yet, almost everyone stops for a moment.

A rainbow shows that rain and sun can go together perfectly. Perhaps that's precisely what makes it so special.

Don't let a summer shower stop you

In the Netherlands, a summer shower is simply part of the deal now and then.

Fortunately, most showers don't last long. Often, the sun is back before you know it.

With a light, waterproof summer rain jacket, you don't have to immediately go inside or change your plans. In fact: perhaps you'll be the one to spot that beautiful rainbow first.

👉 View our collection of summer rain jackets

And be sure to read this blog: 7 moments when you'll be happy with a summer rain jacket.

No rain, no rainbow

Perhaps that's the most beautiful thing about a rainbow.

It reminds us that rain isn't just wet.

Rain makes flowers grow, provides cooling on warm days, creates that wonderful fresh scent after a summer shower, and... sometimes a rainbow suddenly appears. Did you know that this special scent is called Petrichor?

So the next time it rains?

Look up afterwards.

Who knows, something beautiful might be waiting. 🌈

Spotlight: our beautiful, large rainbow heart umbrella