Rainbow clouds spotted in the East for first time since 2016

BBC Weather Watcher Phantom Paul captured what he described as "rainbow clouds" over Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

Rainbow-coloured clouds have been spotted across the East of England for the first time in seven years, a meteorologist said.

BBC Look East weather presenter Dan Holley said the nacreous clouds were rarely seen in the UK because of the exceptional conditions needed.

They generally form higher than 20km (12 miles) above ground, far above more common clouds.

They tend to be most visible around sunrise and sunset, Mr Holley added.

• Rare 'rainbow cloud' spotted in UK skies

The clouds, sometimes referred to as "mother-of-pearl" because of their colours, have been captured on camera across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Hertfordshire.

The nacreous clouds were spotted over Wymondham, Norfolk, at sunset

BBC Weather Watcher Andy said the colours were "amazing" as he captured the clouds over Beccles, Suffolk

It is the first time the clouds, seen here above Potton in Bedfordshire, have been spotted so widely since 2016

Mr Holley said: "They are rarely seen this far south and are usually over polar regions where the air temperature in the stratosphere can get close to or below -80C (-112F).

"Occasionally this cold air at high altitudes can shift a little bit further south over the UK and if conditions are favourable, then this can encourage a display of nacreous clouds."

He added: "The last time nacreous clouds were seen this widely appears to have been in February 2016."

Exceptional conditions are needed to see the "crazy rainbow clouds", as described by BBC Weather Watcher Becky Milroy in Rushden, Northants

BBC Weather Watcher beccasimmons87 captured the rarely seen clouds over Essex's coast at Southend-on-Sea

The clouds have been spotted elsewhere in the UK, including in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Durham, Lincoln and Wolverhampton.