Light in the sky · special cloud
Nacreous clouds
Mother-of-pearl skies
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Nacreous Clouds over the NASA Radome -4-
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Own work
Displayed at reduced resolution. See the original file for full licensing information.
Full credit
Own work
Displayed at reduced resolution. See the original file for full licensing information.
Full credit
Own work
Displayed at reduced resolution. See the original file for full licensing information.
Swipe or scroll sideways to explore the photographs. Photos may include other cloud types; names and credits come from their source records.
Spot it
Bright pastel clouds with an iridescent, pearly appearance.
How it forms
Particles form in exceptionally cold stratospheric air.
Read the sky
Their presence concerns the high atmosphere, not a simple local rain prediction.
Where to look
Most common in Antarctica’s winter stratosphere; also observed in Scandinavia, Scotland, Canada, Alaska and other high-latitude regions.
Little sky facts
Reveal fact 1
Nacreous means mother-of-pearl-like.
Reveal fact 2
These clouds are in the stratosphere.
Reveal fact 3
They can remain brightly lit after sunset.
Reveal fact 4
They are different from much higher noctilucent clouds.
Try this
Name every pastel color you can spot in a photograph.
Draw your own cloud ↗Read a little deeper
Met Office · formation and weather
Conditions described here are places to look, not a global frequency ranking. Use local weather forecasts and warnings for decisions. Never look directly at the Sun.