Rainbow cloud

[Plump82]

Has anyone spotted a rainbow cloud this evening? I don't think I've ever seen something so beautiful right on my doorstep.

Yes! We had it in SE London. Weird and lovely.

Nothing like that here, unfortunately. It's really beautiful.

Yes! I saw that at lunchtime in Bedfordshire. I thought I was going round the twist!

Yes in the NE. Nacreous clouds.

Yes! Saw it 30 mins ago in Sussex. Beautiful!

I thought I was seeing things as well. I'm West Scotland. We get pretty special sunrises and sunset but this is something else!

Yes, North East Coast here. A magical solstice sky!

Ah so that's the proper name for it!

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/types-of-weather/clouds/other-clouds/nacreous

Wonderful.

@OhYouBadBadKitten - One for you, any meterological reasons why we are seeing this phenomenon today?

Wow 😍

Yes, in the North East. This morning, and there was one late this afternoon too. Beautiful.

Wow, these are beautiful- thank you for sharing!

Interesting that that Met Office article says they usually form over polar regions. Especially since the winter solstice is in the early hours of tomorrow morning, so the way the planet tilts means the UK right now is as far north as it ever gets. I think that's what I mean anyway.

Stirling this morning

I was wondering if we'd see more today. I could see some colours even after it got pretty dark last night.

Sorry, was away from internet. Nacreous clouds form in the lower stratosphere when temperatures there are below -78°c. Polar air in the stratosphere was a little displaced, bringing them over us.
They were very beautiful!