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
Temperature radar of the UK and Ireland with heat warning, highs of 30+ degrees in England and Wales.
Thursday 10 July 2025

Take precautions

Third heatwave takes grip
Snow-covered car and weather radar
Tuesday 8 July 2025

Winter feeling in summer

Fresh snow in the Alps
Monday 7 July 2025

Heavy downpours

Evening thunderstorm risk for north-east
All weather news
This might also interest you
Two weather radars side-by-side, one showing sunny conditions over the UK and the other a temperature map showing widespread warmth.
Thursday 10 July 2025

Breakfast brief

Turning sunnier and warmer
Thursday 3 July 2025

Breakfast brief

Pleasant for some, unsettled for others
Monday 14 July 2025

Breakfast brief

Turning gusty as temperatures ease
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.ie

facebooktwitteryouTubeContact uslinkList
Privacy Policy | Legal info | Accessibility statement