Residents around the Bridlington area were left in awe today ( (Thursday, 21st December) as they witnessed rare and breathtaking sight in the sky.
The sightings were caused by the shimmering colours of rare Nacreous clouds.
Nacreous clouds, also known as “mother-of-pearl” clouds, are one of the highest clouds in the atmosphere and are rarely spotted in the UK due to the exceptional conditions required for their formation.
Nacreous clouds form in extremely cold conditions over polar regions and within the stratosphere, at altitudes ranging from 12 to 19 miles (19-31km) above the Earth’s surface.
The extreme cold temperatures and specific atmospheric conditions necessary for their creation make them a rare phenomenon in the UK.
Occasionally, cold polar air, trapped by strong winds in the upper atmosphere known as the polar vortex, weakens and allows this colder air to descend southward.
These unique clouds are formed in air that is approximately -80°C, causing tiny ice crystals to refract sunlight and create the stunning and vibrant pearly colours that give them their name.
The Nacreous clouds are most commonly observed a few hours before or after sunset or sunrise.
Due to their high altitude, they are still illuminated by sunlight even during the evening hours, making them appear even more vibrant and captivating in the sky.
