Weather Dictionary / Glossary of Terms

Iridescence


   Weather TermDescription / Definition
   Iridescence Brilliant spots or borders of colors in clouds, usually red and green, caused by diffraction of light by small cloud particles. The phenomenon is usually observed in thin cirrus clouds within about 30° of the sun and is characterized by bands of color in the cloud that contour the cloud edges.


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Data courtesy of NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration