Rainbow Cloud Seen in Costa Rica [VIDEO]

A unique rainbow cloud shone over Costa Rica last week. The halo of color coming from the mysterious cloud prompted researchers to take a closer at how this breathtaking sight formed. 

The phenomenon known as cloud iridescence occurs when light bounces off water droplets and ice crystals in the atmosphere, according to The Weather Network. When there is enough moisture in the air, it condenses into water droplets or freezes into ice crystals. Light interacts with these droplets and crystals through the process known as diffraction, which is the separation of light into different colors. This part of cloud iridescnce is similar to what happens to light when it enters a prism.  

"A layer of humid air rises above the clouds, and as the layer is forced upward, it thins and cools, and humid air is transformed into ice crystals," Brett Soderholm, Weather Network meteorologist, explained in a statement. 

The large cloud that formed is known as a pileus or 'cap' cloud, which generally forms when airflow meets a geographical barrier, such as a mountain range, and is pushed upward. 

This spectacular rainbow cloud was seen by viewers in cities including, San Jose, Parrita, Pavas, Escazu and Hatillo. Jessie Montealegre, an Escazu resident, said the phenomenon in the sky was breathtaking. "It's like a sign of God," she said. 

A video of the event can be found online, courtesy of YouTube. 

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