Lightning Inside a Giant Rainbow After Rain... Rare Phenomenon Captured in the USA

Phenomenon Visible Only When Thunderstorms and Rainbows Occur Simultaneously

A rare natural phenomenon of lightning striking above a rainbow was captured in Minnesota, USA.

Local media in the US, including CBS News, recently highlighted a rainbow captured near Saint Paul, Minnesota. The sky was photographed on the 26th of last month (local time) in the southern part of the city, just after a strong rainstorm accompanied by thunder had swept through Saint Paul.

A sky where a rainbow and lightning occur simultaneously.
[Image source=CBS News capture]

As the thunderstorm weakened, a rainbow appeared in the sky along with the sunset, and momentarily, a blue lightning bolt struck above the rainbow, creating a spectacular scene. This sight became famous as local residents and witnesses shared it on social networking services (SNS).

It is said to be extremely rare for a thunderstorm and a rainbow to occur simultaneously. In 2021, a similar natural phenomenon occurred in a city in the United Kingdom, attracting the attention of local citizens.

The simultaneous capture of lightning and a rainbow is said to be very rare. [Image source=US 'Weather Channel' capture]

At that time, meteorologist Dan Holley explained in an interview with the BBC, "The probability of lightning and a rainbow occurring simultaneously is very low because thunderstorms, unlike rainbows, do not happen frequently."

Holley added, "A rainbow occurs when sunlight refracts and reflects through falling raindrops. For lightning to strike while a rainbow is visible, the observer must be positioned with their back to the sun, between the thunderstorm and the sun." In other words, only when specific positions and timing align can one see a rainbow and lightning at the same time.