In pictures: ‘Rainbow’ clouds seen over Scotland

Published on 18/12/2012 01:57

THESE photographs show an unusual ‘rainbow’ cloud in the skies above north east Scotland last night.

This phenomenon is known as a nacreous cloud formation, and comes about as the result of a chemical reaction 50 miles above the surface of the earth.

Although a rare and spectacular occurrence, meteorologists believe the formation could be seen more frequently as a result of climate change.

Dave Clark from the Aberdeen Met office said: “It is unusual to be able to see these nacreous clouds as they are formed in the troposphere, high above our weather.

“They are a consequence of us releasing too much methane into the atmosphere and this reacts with the ozone to form chlorine clouds which is what we see.”