Did you see two vivid rainbows streaking over the skies of Metro Vancouver this evening? It occurred at approximately 6 p.m. at the tail end of today’s severe rainstorm, just as the sun began to set below the horizon.
Social media feeds were flooded with photos of expansive rainbows flanking the region. But what does it mean?
There might have been two pots of gold up for grabs at some point of the evening, but if you are looking for a scientific explanation: Rainbows are created when light is reflected and refracted when it enters through raindrops.
And with double rainbows, this phenomenon occurs when this reflection and refraction process is repeated twice inside a raindrop. Compared to the primary rainbow, double rainbows generally appear dimmer and the colours are ‘reversed’.
According to Environment Canada’s latest forecast, residents in the region can expect a mix of sun and cloud cover for Sunday.
Here is a compilation of the 30 best Instagram photos of this evening’s Vancouver double rainbows that use the hashtag #VancityBuzz:
Double rainbow! #vancouver #vancitybuzz #downtown #granvillestreet #vancity #makeawish A photo posted by Kari (@cc_ca) on
#Vancouver right now. #rainbow @bcplacestadium @604now #vancitybuzz A photo posted by Brent Dawes (@dtours) on
I have never seen a #rainbow this close!!! What an amazing sight #rainbow #doublerainbow #vancitybuzz #vancouverlife #vancouver #awesome #potofgold #bcisawesome A photo posted by Nick (@nickybcgreen) on
Double Rainbow #vancouver #coquitlam #bc #rain #fallseason #vancitybuzz #vancityhype A photo posted by @jay.cee89 on
The beauty after the storm #doublerainbow #rainyday #rainbow #wheresmypotofgold #beautifulbc #vancitybuzz A photo posted by Suzana A (@zanaaxo) on
Awesome double rainbow. As quick as it comes it disappears!! #rainbow #doublerainbow #vancitybuzz #vancouver #vancouverlife #vancouverisawesome A photo posted by Nick (@nickybcgreen) on
Find me at the end of the rainbow #nofilter #rainbow #vancouver #igersvancouver #explorebc #vancitybuzz A photo posted by TheRealHaash (@_maya_nga_) on
The #sign of #God. A perfect end for a beautiful rainy day… A photo posted by Amin 🙂 (@aminsameni) on
Double rainbow #beautifulbc #sunset #yvr A photo posted by Mabel (@mabelyvonne_) on
Two pots of gold! #rainbow#sopretty#mothernature#rainynights#ohcanada#fallseason#vancitybuzz#insidevancouver#vancity#Vancouver#newwest#newwestminister A photo posted by Tanziha 22 (@tazysgallery) on
“Dare to love yourself as if you were a rainbow with gold at both ends.” – Aberjhani #qotd #rainbow #doublerainbow #richmondbc #vancity #vancitybuzz A photo posted by Zeenia (@pixzee) on
#vancouver #doublerainbow #vancity #vancitybuzz #instasky #beautiful A photo posted by @jgee12 on
Happy thanksgiving long weekend, friends!!! And happiest birthday to my bf forever and ever, @evelynl10. A photo posted by #foeanddear (@foeanddear) on
A majestic end to the day. #vancouver #britishcolumbia #canada #vancouverisawesome #vancouver #vancitybuzz A photo posted by ribboninthesky (@ribboninthesky) on
#doublerainbow #explorebc #vancitybuzz #vancouver A photo posted by @jukker on