The cloud formation, which appeared in photos and video posted to social media, was reported Tuesaday afternoon in the sky over San Jose, Parrita, Pavas, Escazu and Hatillo. Even more mystifying was the fact that it was the country’s Independence Day.
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A cloud formation has caused concern in the skies above Costa Rica after residents became anxious that it signified the END OF THE WORLD.
It led some to describe the incredible phenomenon as being “like a sign of God”.
Resident Joey Petit told ABC News today that he and his family were at the playground in Escazu for an Independence Day festival when his 11-year-old son, Ariel Joseph Petit first noticed the odd cloud.
Jessie Montealegre, who lives in Escazu, said she was awestruck by the fantastic phenomenon. We were just so amazed.
“It was breathtaking. It’s like a sign of God.”
Eladio Solano, a meteorologist with Costa Rica’s National Meteorological Institute, had a much simpler explanation: a rare phenomenon called cloud iridescence.
An expert, Gavin Pretor-Pinney, told the Daily Mail that the cloud formation is also known as a pileus cloud.
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Cloud iridescence. Basically, clouds with a thin area full of ice crystals and droplets can produce this glowing effect as the sun’s rays hit it, which is why it’s most often seen near the edges of clouds as in the video above. “It’s not a common cloud to see”.
