WW2010
University of Illinois

WW2010
 
  welcome
 
> online guides
 
  archives
 
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  current weather
 
  about ww2010
 
  index

Online Guides
 
  introduction
 
> meteorology
 
  remote sensing
 
  reading maps
 
  projects, activities

Meteorology
 
  introduction
 
  air masses, fronts
 
  clouds, precipitation
 
  el nino
 
  forces, winds
 
  hurricanes
 
  hydrologic cycle
 
> light, optics
 
  midlatitude cyclones
 
  severe storms
 
  weather forecasting

Light, Optics
 
  introduction
 
  mechanisms
 
  air, dust, haze
 
  ice crystals
 
> water droplets

water droplets
 
  coronas
 
> linings, iridescence
 
  rainbows

User Interface
 
  graphics
> text

NOTE: We've guessed that you're not using a client that supports colored tables and have tried to compensate. Low graphics mode looks much better on clients that do... we recommend switching to Netscape 3.0 or Microsoft Internet Explorer.
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Silver Lining and Cloud Iridescence
produced through diffraction of sunlight

In the picture below, the sun is shining from behind the growing cumulus tower. This bright outline along the edge of the cloud is the silver lining, which occurs when light is diffracted by cloud droplets along the cloud's outer edge. Silver linings are observed around thicker clouds containing larger droplets.

[Image: photograph of silver lining (68K)]
Photograph by: Holle

Sometimes, diffraction of sunlight in clouds produce a multitude of colors. This optical effect is called cloud iridescence.

[Image: photograph of cloud iridescence (67K)]
Photograph by: Knupp

These colors are usually observed within 20 degrees of the sun and are easier to look at through sunglasses.



coronas
Terms for using data resources. CD-ROM available.
Credits and Acknowledgments for WW2010.
Department of Atmospheric Sciences (DAS) at
the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Rainbows