Rainbow clouds light up skies over West Midlands
- Published
The rare rainbow-like phenomenon, seen here in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, is known as Nacreous cloud
Rare rainbow clouds have brightened skies across the West Midlands.
Known as a Nacreous clouds, they form in very cold conditions over the poles and in the stratosphere, up to 19 miles (31km) high, far above normal clouds.
BBC Weather Watches have been sending in their photos of the "phenomenon".
Sometimes called mother-of-pearl, it is formed in air that is about -80C (-112F) which causes tiny ice crystals to reflect the sunlight, giving the cloud pearly colours.
BBC Weather Watchers sent in their pictures including this one from Gemma, in Codsall, south Staffordshire
Commuters in Stratford-upon-Avon on Thursday morning saw the sunrise with a multicoloured tinge
A tree stood tall in silhouette as the sun rose in Bromyard, Herefordshire
It was still dark in Telford, Shropshire when the rainbow clouds could be seen
For more information about BBC Weather Watchers, take a look at the website.
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