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Indonesia’s Rainbow Cloud Goes Viral Experts Explain How It Forms And What It Means
Science
Published on 6 May 2026
It’s not magic or AI — light hits clouds
A rare rainbow cloud in Indonesia has stunned residents and flooded social media as people wondered what caused the shimmering bands. Weather experts say it’s a natural atmospheric effect: sunlight refracts and reflects through tiny water droplets in thin clouds. The colors are often linked with changing weather, commonly signaling rain is on the way.
- Rainbow cloud colors form when sunlight interacts with tiny water droplets
- The effect happens in thin clouds where refraction can spread light
- Experts say it often signals approaching rain
- Viral posts mistook it for luck or AI
Read the full story at The Economic Times
This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
The Economic Times