Rainbow clouds – also known as ‘nacreous’ or ‘mother-of-pearl’ clouds after their resemblance to the iridescent shells of some molluscs – are an extremely rare atmospheric phenomenon. …

Apr 22, 2024 · Although it usually occurs on a rainy day when the sun breaks through the clouds, it can also happen under similar conditions when water droplets in the air come into contact …

Dec 2, 2024 · Iridescent clouds happen because of diffraction – a phenomenon that occurs when small water droplets or small ice crystals scatter the sun's light. Cloud iridescence is relatively …

But have you ever seen a rainbow cloud? This can happen because of something called cloud iridescence. It usually happens in altocumulus, cirrocumulus, lenticular and cirrus clouds. It's …

Sep 22, 2024 · A rainbow is formed when sunlight bends and splits into colors as it goes through raindrops. First, the light bends when it enters the raindrop. Then, it reflects inside the drop …

Rainbows are formed when sunlight is scattered from raindrops into the eyes of an observer. Most raindrops are spherical rather than the often depicted 'teardrop' shape and...

May 10, 2022 · Learn how circumhorizontal arcs, also known as fire rainbows or rainbow clouds, form when sun light refracts through water droplets or ice crystals in thin clouds. Find out …

Mar 15, 2011 · Rainbows are frequently seen in the wake of a rainstorm. They come when the sunlight breaks through rain clouds. You can create an artificial rainbow for yourself with a …

Aug 16, 2021 · How ice crystals can turn ordinary clouds into a brilliant display of rainbow colors These rare "circumhorizonal arcs" light up clouds in the summertime into the colors of the …

Feb 19, 2025 · It occurs when light interacts with cloud droplets, creating a rainbow appearance. The term "iridescence" means that a property can change color based on the angle it is …

4 days ago · The smallest water drops that form fog and clouds do not produce rainbows. When the sun is on the horizon, we observe a rainbow in the form of a complete semicircle. As the …

Mar 4, 2025 · Clouds can be classified based on their altitude and the processes that form them. High clouds, like cirrus, develop 5 km (3 miles) above sea level and are primarily composed of …

Sep 1, 2022 · It is formed when the base cloud pushes a moist current of air upwards and the water vapour from the current condenses to somewhat resemble wave-like crests, or umbrellas.

If the cloud is high up enough in the sky and the air is cold enough, the cloud is made of lots of tiny ice crystals instead and gives a thin, wispy appearance. There is also the fact that a cloud …

Mar 3, 2025 · There are a number of other unique and beautiful cloud types that can form as air rises over mountain slopes and other topography. Lenticular clouds , for example, can look like …