JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It might sound like a meteorological phenomena that we just made up, but it's real! A rare cloud known as a sun dog was spotted over Jacksonville Thursday evening. A sun dog is a rainbow-like iridescent cloud. This happens when ice crystals embedded in cirrus clouds high up in the atmosphere scatter the sunlight creating this unique imagery.
Despite cirrus clouds being rather common, sundogs are relatively rare. There are a few reasons for this: Often you need the sun at a low angle and just right compared to the clouds. Plus, the upper-level clouds need to be relatively thin or just forming, keeping them transparent enough to allow the scattering of light through them instead of blocking the sun rays completely out.
The National Weather Service has more on this unique cloud here if you want to learn more.
Remember if you ever see something interesting like this, take a photo and please send it to us via the First Coast News Weather Watchers Facebook page or via the Near Me Function on the First Coast News App.
