VIDEO: Rare cloud iridescence seen over PNW Friday afternoon
![VIDEO: Rare cloud iridescence seen over PNW Friday afternoon](https://www.koin.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/IMG_0981.jpeg?w=900)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Stormy weather is on the way for much of the Pacific Northwest this weekend, leading to rare sight appearing over the skies of Vancouver.
A rare cloud iridescence briefly formed over the Vancouver Waterfront just after noon on Friday. A cloud iridescence is when high, thin cirrus clouds move in front of the sun. These high-altitude clouds are made mostly of ice crystals despite surface temperatures sitting well above the freezing mark.
The ice crystals help refract the sun's rays and break the color spectrum out. That's what helps create a rainbow-like appearance to form in the clouds without any precipitation.
![](https://www.koin.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/2019-Sun-Halo-JDA.png?w=900)
The high, thin cirrus clouds that started to move into western Oregon and Washington Friday are part of the next storm system. This latest round of wet weather will return rain, cooler temperatures and the chance for thunderstorms back to the Portland-Vancouver metro area this weekend.