A rainbow cloud, captured by a photographer in Victoria, has been chosen for the January slot in the 2026 Australian Weather Calendar.
Rainbow Clouds occur through cloud iridescence, usually in altocumulus, cirrocumulus, lenticular and cirrus clouds.
Iridescent clouds happen when small water droplets or ice crystals scatter the sun’s light.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said the rainbow cloud was captured by Juan Rodriguez in Newport, Victoria.
“Iridescence is more often visible in newly formed clouds, where the ice crystals are mostly the same size,” the Bureau said in a statement.
“It also helps if the cloud is small or thin, so most rays of sunlight that pass through it are diffracted by a single icy droplet.”
The Bureau captures precipitation data using radars located across Australia through a weather network made with over 11,000 pieces of equipment.
Radars use radio waves to measure water in the atmosphere.
The Bureau’s 2027 Australian Weather Calendar national photo competition is currently open for submissions until March 31.
For the full terms and conditions of entry, and to submit a photo, visit: http://www.bom.gov.au/calendar/contest/
