'It's like a sign of God': Costa Rican community amazed by unusual cloud formation

Costa Rican sky displays eerily beautiful rainbow cloud formation

Last Tuesday a cloud phenomenon occurred in Costa Rica, leaving people both mystified and horrified.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (Catholic Online) - Several cities such as San Jose, Parrita, Pavas, Escazu and Hatillo reported the colorful cloud anomaly. Hundreds posted videos and images to social media sites and dubbed it the "end of times."

The formation occurred on Costa Rica's Independence Day and was seen by thousands who were celebrating outside.

Joey Petit told ABC News that he was with his family at a playground in Escazu for a festival when his 11-year-old noticed the clouds.

"He immediately grabbed the camera and started taking video and photos," Petit said. "We were just so amazed. We had no idea what it was and we'd never seen anything like it."

Jessie Montealegre, another Escazu resident, said, "It was breathtaking. It's like a sign of God."

Several theories have emerged, including the presence of UFOs. What the clouds really represent is a phenomenon called "cloud iridescence."

Eladio Solano, a meteorologist with Costa Rica's National Meteorological Institute told Costa Rica's Teletica News that the rainbow was caused by the sun's light being refracted by water drops and ice crystals in the cloud.

Though it appears otherworldly, the breath-taking Costa Rican sky was just a glimpse at nature's mesmerizing beauty.

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