What are the mysterious clouds that appeared in the UK sky?

UK skies have been as colorful as an Impressionist painting over the past week. Many cities saw it Mysterious cloudsIts different colors, and residents turned to X (formerly Twitter) to understand what it was all about.

to Nacrees clouds (also known as mother-of-pearl clouds or polar stratospheric clouds) are a rare atmospheric phenomenon for the region, but are usually seen in the polar regions when the sun is a few degrees below the horizon.

They are formed by ice particles that scatter light. Nacreous clouds are commonly found in Antarctica, but can also be found in the Arctic, Scotland, Scandinavia, Alaska, Canada, and Russia.

One X user wrote: “Strange optical phenomenon I've ever seen – absolutely incredible nacreous clouds here in Kent (UK)!”

The weirdest optical phenomenon I've ever seen – absolutely stunning nacreous clouds here from Kent!

pic.twitter.com/n5TmAUfIR7

— MetJam (@MetJam_)

December 21, 2023

Rare

This phenomenon is so difficult to happen that some confuse it UFOs Because the bright colors in the sky look like thin discs.

For clouds to form, high polar latitudes are required in winter and a extreme temperatures, Like -80ºC.

Normally, clouds form in the troposphere, the first layer above the Earth's surface, but these variable clouds form in the stratosphere above that. Small ice particles “scatter” light, creating these colors.

They are usually only seen in the UK when cold air circulating in the polar regions of the stratosphere migrates and temporarily hovers over countries.

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More ominous clouds loom over northern England

@itvtynetees

pic.twitter.com/k4SIbbnDst

— Paul Kingston (@PaulKingstonITV)

December 21, 2023

Icy clouds over Leeds!

Very rare and usually found only in polar regions*

*So I understand from 20 seconds of Googling

pic.twitter.com/AuD79ileof

— Carey Davies (@carey_davies)

December 21, 2023

Source: Byte Editorial