What is a rainbow cloud?
WHAT IS A RAINBOW CLOUD?
BY: Mike DeNora
A rainbow cloud is a very unique atmospheric phenomenon that occurs when the sunlight spreads all of the colors of the rainbow across a cloud. Sometimes if the shape of the cloud resembles a fire, like the one on the right, they can also be considered fire clouds. In weather these types of clouds are known as circumhorizontal arc. The rainbow tint is caused by ice crystals in a cirrus cloud acting as miniature prisms. This is the opposite of "true" rainbows that consist of water droplets. Sunlight hitting these ice crystals then spreads out upon contact, creating the seven colors of the rainbow. Rainbow clouds are common in the atmosphere but can be hard to see, as an individual must be located at the perfect angle between the sun, cloud, and themselves, at ground level. This angle must be at least 58 degrees for any coloration to be seen. In the United States, these rainbow clouds are most seen during the summer months at the right latitude and location. When considering the atmosphere's unique features, rainbow clouds, are considered to be one of the most impressive phenomenons.
How high up in the atmosphere do you have to go this time of year, in this part of the country, before the temperature is almost always 32F or below?
ReplyDeleteDo commercial jets fly in below freezing cold even in the summer when they're at their highest altitude?
I saw it today!!! It was so creepy. It was on a class field trip! Then when I came home my sister said she saw it too! All my classmates said it was a portal LOL
ReplyDelete