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 map showing maximum values at the beginning of next week and wind radar showing a storm system over the Atlantic that is directing mild air towards Europe
Thursday, 4 December 2025

Gusty in the UK & Ireland

Storms will soon bring spring air
Weather radar map of the UK and Ireland showing widespread blue precipitation bands with temperatures near major cities, overlaid by a large cloud with two blue raindrops.
Tuesday, 2 December 2025

Close to record-breaking

A wet autumn season in the books
Split image showing a night-time waterfall beneath sweeping star trails on the left, and a bright double rainbow over a calm lakeside with mountains, pier, and mist on the right.
Sunday, 30 November 2025

Your weather - Your shots

From rainbow light to starlight
All weather news
This might also interest you
Sunday, 24 August 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Mammatus clouds widely spotted
Split weather map showing the UK and Ireland. The left side illustrates strong winds circulating around a low-pressure system, with gusts of 20–30 mph highlighted in orange and yellow. The right side shows radar imagery with widespread blue rain bands and patches of thunderstorms, especially over northern England and Scotland.
Thursday, 28 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Remaining widely unsettled
Split weather map showing UK wind speeds in orange-red shades up to 40 mph on the left and warning levels in green-yellow on the right, with a central wind warning sign.
Wednesday, 22 October 2025

Warnings active

Storm Benjamin impacts the UK
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList