THERE was a real treat for sky gazers across the region lucky enough to see it awash with ‘rainbow clouds’.

The phenomenon, known as nacreous clouds, is considered rare because the clouds are usually found only in extremely cold air – around minus 78C- and form at 70,000ft above ground level.

The colourful hues come from ice crystals refracting the sun's rays to give the rainbow effect and residents across the region grabbed their cameras and phones to capture the breath-taking sight.

The Northern Echo:
Northern Echo Camera Club member Christine Turford took this picture in Darlington's South Park

The Northern Echo:
Reader Imogen Storey sent in this picture of the clouds over Bishop Auckland

But there is a dark side to the nacreous clouds as well - according to the Australian Antarctic division, they are a major contributing factor in the formation of ozone holes in the Arctic and Antarctic.

Laura Caldwell, a forecaster for Meteogroup, described the arrival of the nacreous clouds as “a bit of a rare treat” which is not expected to happen again this week.

And after the high winds brought by storms Gertrude and Henry in recent days, it seems the North-East and North Yorkshire is now expected to experience the calm after the storm.

Ms Caldwell said: “The strong winds will carry on easing down, but there will be quite a temperature drop overnight (Tuesday) to around one or two degrees.

“There will be a few showers coming down from the north and some of them will be wintry, especially on the hills where there is likely to be a dusting of snow.

“Tomorrow (Wednesday, February 3) should turn quite dry and nice, with quite a bit of sunshine.

“It will still feel quite chilly though with a bit of a breeze.”

The improvements in the weather will allow respite for the emergency services who were called out to deal with dozens of weather-related incidents across the region at the start of the week.

North Yorkshire Police said they were called to more than ten reports of weather-related incidents on Monday night, including fallen trees and lampposts blocking roads, damaged buildings and power lines and a road sign blown into the carriageway of the A168 at South Kilvington, near Thirsk.

A temporary road closure was also in place on the A66 between the A685 Brough junction and the M6 at Penrith this morning (Tuesday) as gusts reaching speeds of up to 70mph toppled a lorry.

The Northern Echo:

The Northern Echo:

This picture was taken in Hartlepool on Tuesday at 8.20am bEdyta Cholcha-Cisowska

The Northern Echo:

Photo sent in by psin1.photography 

The Northern Echo:

Sent in by Craig Blareau. Sky over Middlesbrough.

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Sent in by Caitlin Smith

The Northern Echo:

Megan Devine sent in this photo 

The Northern Echo:

Taken in North Road, Darlington at 7.30am by John James

  • Did you capture the sight? Email us your pictures to newsdesk@nne.co.uk