The meteorological authority in Zhaosu County in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region has started issuing rainbow forecasts to the public. Starting on July 5, the rainbow prediction service is said to be the first of its kind in China.

A double rainbow appears in the sky over the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region. [File Photo: VCG]

The local meteorological authority has been trialing rainbow forecasts in Zhaosu County over the past two years. The county, which is famous for its vast grassland and as being the home of fine horses, is surrounded by mountains. Its geographic location means the area is subject to high frequency convective weather conditions during its brief summer from June to August. These often result in thunderstorms that are followed by rainbows.

According to meteorological statistics, rainbows appear as many as 160 times in Zhaosu County from May to August each year, and may appear up to five times a day. Now, the beautiful meteorological phenomenon can be predicted up to 10 hours in advance, with an accuracy of up to 85 percent, according to a report by qianzhan.com.