Credits: Social Media
Beautiful rainbow clouds decorating Dublin skies are a feast for the eyes
People in Dublin were flabbergasted on seeing rainbow clouds (clouds colored like rainbows) on the morning after Christmas and the rare phenomenon has a scientific explanation that refutes baseless theories about the sighting being a portal to a different universe.
Rare rainbow clouds spotted in Dublin after Christmas
People living in Dublin, Ireland, took to social media to share videos and pictures of colorful skies they spotted on December 26. Although breathtaking, many couldn’t make sense of the unique appearance of rainbow clouds.
The clouds formed in the early morning displayed hues of yellows, pinks, blues, and more, easily visible to the naked eye.
At first, some users thought the dighting was fake, perhaps created using CGI or AI, until many of them shared similar images and videos.
Some thought it was mesmerizing, while others considered themselves lucky to have seen it, for it is an occurrence that is rare. Don’t worry if you missed seeing it, there are plenty of videos on TikTok that have captured the beautiful view of the morning sky.
The rare occurrence became the reason for baseless theories – some as unrealistic as aliens turning the clouds colorful. But, science explains the exact reason for the change in the color of clouds.
What causes the rare sighting?
The scientific term for rainbow clouds is nacreous clouds and they form when the light hits clouds filled with ice particles, thus scattering to form bright colors.
According to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), the ice or water particles in rainbow clouds are much smaller than those found in normal clouds. This is the reason for the lustrous rainbowlike play of color when the semi-transparent clouds form.
The phenomenon is said to occur in colder regions in high altitudes where the temperature is below�-108 degrees Fahrenheit and the weather is dry.
