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China: Stunning Display of Multicolored Clouds Spotted Over Yunnan

On March 29, 2026, in Yunnan, a video captured a stunning display of iridescent clouds spreading across the sky. The clouds shimmered in multiple colors, shifting between shades of pink, green, blue, and gold as sunlight refracted through ice crystals in the atmosphere.

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China: Rare Rainbow-Colored Clouds Seen Above Xinjiang Ski Resort

A video captured a striking display of rainbow-colored clouds over a ski resort in Altay, Xinjiang, China, on January 11, 2026. Bands of red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple stretched across the winter sky above the snow-covered slopes as skiers paused to watch the rare phenomenon. The shimmering clouds lingered on the horizon, creating a surreal contrast with the white mountains below.

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Japan: Rare Brocken Spectre with Rainbow Halo Spotted in Japanese Alps

Captured at Karasawa-dake, a peak near Mount Okuhotaka, this video shows a rare Brocken spectre. The climber’s shadow appears on the mist below, clearly surrounded by a bright, rainbow-colored halo. This optical phenomenon occurs when the sun is low behind the observer, creating a ghostly shadow that seems to float in the clouds.

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China: Rainbow Cloud Appears Over Storm in Shantou, Guangdong

Residents of Shantou, Guangdong, witnessed a breathtaking natural phenomenon on July 26. As storm clouds filled the sky, a vivid iridescent cloud—also known as a “rainbow cloud”—appeared above the dark mass. The colorful formation glowed with rainbow-like hues, resembling a radiant halo that gave the storm a magical, almost surreal aura.

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US: Rainbow Brightens St. Cloud Sunset Amid Severe Weather Warning

Severe thunderstorms prompted multiple weather warnings for threats including tornadoes, flash flooding, damaging winds, and large hail as they swept through Minnesota on Sunday, July 27. This video shows a huge rainbow spotted over the sunset sky in St. Cloud amid a severe thunderstorm warning.

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China: Lightning Strikes Through Rainbow as Sunset Paints Sky in Inner Mongolia

This is the stunning moment that a rare mix of lightning and rainbow lit up the sky, capturing a breathtaking scene that also featured sunset and colorful clouds. On May 11, 2025, in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, the video showed a rare atmospheric phenomenon where a bolt of lightning slashed through the sky as a vivid rainbow arched across the horizon. As the sun began to set, casting an orange hue over the clouds, onlookers were treated to a mesmerizing display where multiple natural elements, lightning, rainbow, sunset, and painted clouds, had converged in one frame. The lightning bolt flashed dramatically across the sky just beneath the arc of the rainbow, creating a moment of natural beauty that was rarely seen together. The video ended with the lightning fading into the distance as the rainbow slowly dissolved into the dusky sky.

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US: Ominous Storm Clouds Loom Over Twin Cities, MN

Severe thunderstorms swept through the Twin Cities on Monday, August 26, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. The storms left thousands without power, caused flooding and forced to close the Minnesota State Fair.

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China: Rare ‘Buddha’s Light’ Phenomenon Spotted In Qingdao

On Tuesday, June 18, a rare phenomenon called "Buddha's light" was spotted on the top of Wushan in Qingdao, Shandong Province. In China, the optical phenomenon is called "Buddha's light" or "Buddha's halo" and is often observed on high, cloud-covered mountains.

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China: Double Rainbow Graces Skies Over Xizhou Ancient Town In Yunnan

On June 15, 2024, the skies above Xizhou Ancient Town in Dali, Yunnan were adorned with a breathtaking sight: two vivid rainbows against a pale blue backdrop. The atmospheric conditions were perfect, casting a kaleidoscope of colors that radiated throughout the clouds, sculpted into various shapes by the light. The enchanting scene, reminiscent of a scene straight out of a comic book, captivated both locals and tourists alike, drawing them into the slow-paced, picturesque setting. This natural spectacle highlighted the timeless beauty of the area, making it a memorable destination for Chinese visitors.

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China: Spectacular Double Rainbow Adorns Skies In Lijiang, Yunnan

On June 16, 2024, a magnificent weather phenomenon graced the skies of Baisha ancient Town, Lijiang in Yunnan. On this sunny day with sparse clouds, the blue sky was beautifully enhanced by the appearance of two rainbows, creating a breathtaking view over the region. The scene perfectly captured the essence of Yunnan, often referred to as "South of the Colorful Clouds," living up to its poetic reputation. Local lore suggests that those who witness a rainbow will find good fortune, adding an auspicious note to this stunning natural display.

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US: Beautiful Iridescent Clouds Spotted In Newburyport, Massachusetts

Beautiful vivid iridescent clouds were seen in Newburyport, Massachusetts, on Sunday, June 2.

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China: Stunning Ice Halo Spotted In Kunming, Yunnan

A stunning ice halo was spotting in Kunming, Yunnan on May 21. According to Li Xiaopeng, an expert from the Kunming Meteorological Observatory, the formation principle of an ice halo is similar to that of a rainbow. Because high-altitude clouds are relatively thin, their interiors consist of ice crystals. When sunlight shines onto these high-altitude clouds, it undergoes refraction and reflection, resulting in the formation of this colorful circular halo.

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Spectacular halo appears in Dali, SW China

STORY: Spectacular halo appears in Dali, SW China SHOOTING TIME: Recent footages DATELINE: May 28, 2024 LENGTH: 00:00:15 LOCATION: DALI, China CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of a "halo" in the sky over Dali City STORYLINE: The sun took on a "halo" in the sky over Dali City, SW China's Yunnan. A halo, also known as a circular rainbow, is caused by refraction or reflection of sunlight as it passes through cirrostratus clouds. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Dali, China. (XHTV)

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CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA-VIEWS (CN)

(240527) -- HAIKOU, May 27, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on May 10, 2024 shows a rainbow in the South China Sea. The calm sea, colorful clouds, starry night sky, magnificent sunrise and sunset unfold slowly like a picture scroll in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

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CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA-VIEWS (CN)

(240527) -- HAIKOU, May 27, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on May 10, 2024 shows a rainbow in the South China Sea. The calm sea, colorful clouds, starry night sky, magnificent sunrise and sunset unfold slowly like a picture scroll in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

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Zhenghe International Wharf Containers Yangtze River Ships

SUZHOU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 29, 2023 - (FILE) Ships sail along the Yangtze River at Zhengzheng International Pier at Taicang Port under dark clouds in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, China, on Sept 29, 2023.

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Time lapse: Rainbow clouds in Yunnan, China

STORY: Time lapse: Rainbow clouds in Yunnan, China DATELINE: Jan. 26, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:54 LOCATION: KUNMING, China CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of rainbow clouds in Yunnan, China STORYLINE: Time lapse: Rainbow clouds in Dali, southwest China's Yunnan. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kunming, China. (XHTV)

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Amazing rainbow appears on China's Longhu Mountain

STORY: Amazing rainbow appears on China's Longhu Mountain DATELINE: Jan. 20, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:58 LOCATION: YINGTAN, China CATEGORY: CULTURE/ENTERTAINMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of amazing views of Longhu Mountain STORYLINE: A rainbow appeared after the clouds cleared on the Longhu Mountain scenic area in Yingtan, east China's Jiangxi Province. Longhu Mountain is famous for being one of the birthplaces of Taoism, with many Taoist temples built upon the mountainside. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Yingtan, China. (XHTV)

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Rainbow

Time-lapse video a rainbow appeared beneath the clouds of wind turbines. Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, China, July 18, 2020.

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Moon, clouds, rainbow

The moon behind sparse clouds, on which the refraction of light creates a rainbow effect. (CTK Photo/Roman Krompolc)

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Illustration; wind turbine; renewable energy; climate change

June 6, 2020. Wind turbines at the A4 highway. Photo CTK/Grzegorz Klatka

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Illustration; wind turbine; renewable energy; climate change

June 6, 2020. Wind turbines at the A4 highway. Photo CTK/Grzegorz Klatka

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Illustration; wind turbine; renewable energy; climate change

June 6, 2020. Wind turbines at the A4 highway. Photo CTK/Grzegorz Klatka

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storm Ciara (Sabine), clouds, Moon, sky, Ceske Budejovice, rainbow

Clouds and sky over the Czech Budejovice town (Ceske Budejovice) Czech Republic during the wind storm Ciara (Sabine) on Monday, February 10, 2020, (CTK Photo/Jan Honza)

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storm Ciara (Sabine), clouds, Moon, sky, Ceske Budejovice, rainbow

Clouds and sky over the Czech Budejovice town (Ceske Budejovice) Czech Republic during the wind storm Ciara (Sabine) on Monday, February 10, 2020, (CTK Photo/Jan Honza)