Rare rainbow-coloured Nacreous clouds spotted over Newark and Sherwood

Rare rainbow clouds have been spotted across Newark and surrounding areas today.

Described as looking like an ‘oil slick’ or ‘inter-dimensional portal’ the iridescent multi-coloured cloud forms have been pictured above Newark, Upton and Long Bennington.

They are known as Nacreous clouds and are, according to the Met Office, rare and very high clouds, known mainly for the coloured light they reflect after sunset and before sunrise.

The name is linked to their appearance, with the old English word ‘Nacre’ meaning mother of pearl.

The Met Office explains that ice particles that form nacreous clouds are much smaller than in more common clouds and scatter light in a different way, which is what creates the distinctive luminescent appearance.

They are most likely to be seen in places such as Scandinavia and northern Canada.

They are usually only visible in the UK when cold air circulating around polar regions is temporarily over the UK.

Have you taken any pictures of the rare clouds today? Send them to e.gilmore@newarkadvertiser.co.uk to be featured.