Home / Editor's Pick /

Seen in Norfolk: What causes double rainbows?

15:00
9 April 2023

Seen in Norfolk
What causes double rainbows?

Double rainbowThis double rainbow was captured in Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk last week. - © Richard Lay

A Weather & Radar user captured this stunning double rainbow last week, but do you know what leads to their appearance?

Earlier this week we looked at what leads to the creation of regular rainbows, so how do we end up seeing double?

How are single rainbows created?read more

Sometimes you can see another so-called secondary rainbow next to the main rainbow. This is located above the main rainbow at an angle of 51 degrees.

The second rainbow is created by another reflection within the raindrop. The path of the light is thus longer and part of the light is lost.

Therefore, the second rainbow appears only fainter, if at all.

At the same time, the colours in the secondary rainbow are arranged in reverse to those in the main rainbow.

Captured a double rainbow near you? Send it in to us using the uploader!

Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
Perseid meteor shower and airglow above the Seemannskirche church in Prerow.
Tuesday 5 August 2025

Perseids flying overhead

Spot a meteor shower before its peak
Split image. On the left - Thick, stormy clouds cover the sky at the coast. The sea is to the left with a beach taking centre frame. On the right - View of the North Sea with rays of sunlight streaming down over cloud.
Sunday 10 August 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Snaps from a stormy week
Thursday 31 July 2025

Brewing in the Atlantic

Summer storm to start the week?
All weather news
This might also interest you
Two weather maps of the UK and Ireland. On the left, a wind map showing stronger gusts in the west of Scotland. On the right a weather map showing showers across parts of Wales and England.
Thursday 7 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Showery start on another windy day
Wednesday 30 July 2025

Breakfast brief

Warming but showers remain in places
Weather map showing heavy showers and thunderstorms breaking out in England.
Thursday 31 July 2025

Breakfast brief

Showers turn heavy, potentially thundery
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.ie

facebooktwitteryouTubeContact uslinkList
Privacy Policy | Legal info | Accessibility statement