alpenglow

American  

[al-puhn-gloh] / ˈæl pənˌgloʊ /

noun

1. a reddish glow often seen on the summits of mountains just before sunrise or just after sunset.

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alpenglow British  

/ ˈælpənˌɡləʊ /

noun

1. a reddish light on the summits of snow-covered mountain peaks at sunset or sunrise

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Etymology

Origin of alpenglow

1870–75; < German Alpenglühen, with glow replacing German glühen

Explanation

Alpenglow is the reddish light you can sometimes see on the tops of mountains, especially snow-covered mountains, just before the sun rises or right after it sets. Alpenglow is a phenomenon that's unique to the mountains. When the sun is below the visible horizon, tall mountains can still catch the sun's rays. Just before sunrise and after sunset, longer-wavelength red and orange sunlight reflects down onto the mountain peaks from particles high up in the atmosphere, creating a warm glow. The word alpenglow comes from the German Alpenglühen, which literally means "Alps-glow." The Alps are an often snow-capped mountain range in central Europe; the highly reflective snow intensifies the alpenglow.

Example Sentences

Colorado’s natural beauty — groves of aspen shimmering in fall, snowcapped 14,000-foot peaks bathed in alpenglow — has much to lure outdoor enthusiasts, from college-age tubers to private jet owners.

From New York Times • Sep. 1, 2022

However, the late afternoon light shines alpenglow onto nearby peaks like Granite Mountain that are visible from the valley floor.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 22, 2022

As the afternoon turned into evening, the pale peaks and domes soaked up the colours of the setting sun: vivid yellow, fiery orange and, finally, a lingering band of ember-red alpenglow.

From The Guardian • Mar. 19, 2019

Between sunset and sunrise, the alpenglow spans midnight and lasts for hours.

From The New Yorker • Nov. 9, 2015

Last evening as seen from camp it was adorned with a cloud streamer, and both the streamer and the peak were flushed in the alpenglow.

From Travels in Alaska by Muir, John