Strange rainbow effect in clouds

SJANSELL · #1 (**permalink**) 17-08-2010, 01:32 AM

Hi,

I saw a strange rainbow effect today, this afternoon. We had good weather today but what I think were high cirrus clouds started to appear, you could feel the weather start to change and now at 2.30 am (pills make me insomniac!) it's raining.

In a small high patch of clouds there seemed to be a bright spot with a rainbow like effect - sort of smudgy.

Had a quick Google and the nearest I could get was one of those arc things, although it was quite blurry and indistinct. One source mentioned cirrus clouds.

I don't know much about weather and should have got a photo, but I wonder whether anyone can explain?

Many thanks, Sarah

SJANSELL · #2 (**permalink**) 17-08-2010, 01:47 AM

Still up and searching! Looks a bit like a fairly unspectacular sundog - saw some on google images. I'd never heard of them!

Sarah

Deb London · #3 (**permalink**) 17-08-2010, 06:28 AM

Hi Sarah, sounds good to me. Never seen one myself.

thunder · #4 (**permalink**) 17-08-2010, 08:59 AM

Definitely sounds like a sun-dog. They are more common than you would think - just keep looking up at the sky

henrya

AndyC · #5 (**permalink**) 17-08-2010, 09:09 AM

Sun dogs are not at all rare! I would be surprised if I didn't see one or two every month or even every week when conditions are right. Many of them get overlooked because they are so faint and short lived.
They appear much more distinct and vibrant if you wear polarizing sun glasses which makes them easier to spot.

Andy

Jim Ford · #6 (**permalink**) 17-08-2010, 10:08 AM

Have a look at this excellent site for atmospheric optical effects:

Coloured arcs not rainbows

Jim

Lancashire Lad · #7 (**permalink**) 17-08-2010, 11:41 AM

Hi SJANSELL,

From your original description, it sounds like it may have been irridescent clouds rather than Parhelion (Sundog).

We had some discussion on this thread quite some time back, but the photos might be similar to what you have seen: -

the sky

Regards,
Mike.

SJANSELL · #8 (**permalink**) 17-08-2010, 04:50 PM

Hi,

Thankseveryone for all that - I'll definitely try to get a photo next time. From the link the shape definitely looked more like a sundog but it was in clouds so could be iridescent I suppose. I think I have seen it before, but will keep an eye out now!

Sarah