A rare display of cloud iridescence surprised residents in Johor, Malaysia, earlier this month. The colourful clouds were seen in the late afternoon sky, creating a soft rainbow effect above the area. Many people quickly noticed the unusual sight and recorded it on their phones.
The phenomenon was captured in a video shared online by a Threads user. The footage showed bright colours forming along the edge of a large cloud. The shades of pink, yellow, and blue appeared clearly against the pale sky, drawing attention from viewers.
Rare Sky Phenomenon Spotted
The sighting took place on 8 April at around 4.49 pm in Felda Lok Heng Selatan, located in Kota Tinggi, Johor. A local resident, Khadijah Abdullah, said she felt excited when she saw the clouds. It was her first time witnessing such a natural event.
She quickly recorded the moment and shared it online. The video later gained attention as similar cloud patterns were also reported in other parts of Malaysia. The timing and weather conditions helped make the colours visible to many people.
What Causes Cloud Iridescence?
Cloud iridescence is a natural optical effect. It happens when sunlight passes through thin clouds made of very small water droplets or ice crystals. These particles are usually similar in size, which allows light to spread evenly and create soft rainbow colours.
The process behind this effect is called diffraction. As sunlight bends around the tiny droplets, different colours appear at different angles. This creates a gentle mix of colours that can be seen near the edges of clouds.
Conditions Needed for the Effect
For cloud iridescence to appear, the sky must have thin, high-altitude clouds. The sun also needs to be partly hidden behind the clouds. This allows the light to pass through the right part of the cloud and form the colours.
Weather experts say the effect is not very common, but it is not extremely rare either. It depends on having the right cloud thickness, sunlight angle, and particle size. When all these factors come together, the result can be a beautiful and short-lived display.
The sighting in Johor lasted only a short time before the colours faded. However, it left a strong impression on those who saw it, as the sky briefly turned into a soft blend of natural colours.
Watch the video here:
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