Tag Archives: circumhorizontal arc

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Craig Tooley photographed a rare fire rainbow. Actually, if you look closely, there are two fire rainbows.

Fire Rainbows by Craig Tooley

This phenomenon is more properly called a circumhorizontal arc. Rather than a rainbow, it is an ice halo, caused by ice crystals in cirrus clouds. It is rare to see one.

Here is one taken by Susan Cerruti. The fire rainbow appeared over the Cypress Center in Gualala

Fire Rainbow by Susan Cerruti

And another by Don Spear.

Fire Rainbow by Don Spear

They are beautiful to see, that's for sure! Thanks to Craig, Susan, and Don for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is the link: www.ruffimage.com

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One of the rarest phenomenon, conditions have to be perfect to see a Fire Rainbow or a circumhorizontal arc. Don Spear was lucky to see and photograph one recently.

Fire Rainbow by Don Spear

 

The sun needs to be very high in the sky, so around the summer solstice is ideal. The sun needs to hit the clouds at exactly 58 degrees. Rather than being on fire, though, it is cold as ice.

Thanks to Don for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see a photo of another unusual event caused by light refraction, here's a link to see a Fog Bow. http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2012/10/29/fog-bow-as-photographed-by-peggy-berryhill/