Stunning Tornado Crosses Rainbow in Viral Nebraska Weather Clip
Introduction
In a rare and mesmerizing moment, a tornado crossing a rainbow was caught on camera in Nebraska and has since taken over the internet. Storm chaser Connor McCarty captured the footage during a supercell thunderstorm on June 16, 2025.
With the twister spiraling against a vibrant arc of colors, the footage has gone viral across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, racking up millions of views within 48 hours. The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado lasted roughly 45 minutes, part of a larger storm system that moved through the Midwest.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Shot
Connor McCarty, a 27-year-old storm chaser and photographer, shared the clip on his YouTube and Instagram handles. The video shows the tornado touching down against a clear double rainbow, prompting stunned reactions:
“I’ve been chasing for a decade and never seen anything like this,” Connor told Hindustan Times.
Weather experts noted that while tornadoes and rainbows can occur together under specific light and moisture conditions, capturing them in the same frame is extremely rare.
The Science Behind the Spectacle
The phenomenon is possible when:
- The sun is low in the sky (late afternoon or early evening)
- There is heavy rain or hail in one part of the storm
- Sunlight refracts and reflects through lingering moisture to form a rainbow
Add in rotating updrafts from a supercell, and you have a perfect storm—literally—for a tornado to emerge against the color spectrum.
"It’s nature’s version of irony—destruction and beauty all at once," said meteorologist Jamie Lowenthal.
Why Weather Clips Go Viral
This isn’t the first time extreme weather has broken the internet, but the emotional contrast of a tornado—destructive, ominous—paired with a rainbow—hopeful, peaceful—taps deep into human psychology.
Experts say clips like these go viral because:
- They show nature's extremes in harmony
- Viewers feel awe, surprise, and curiosity
- They inspire metaphor: “Light after darkness,” “Beauty in chaos”
The emotional duality is also being used in motivational edits, climate awareness reels, and even spiritual TikToks.
National Weather Service radar confirms the supercell on June 16
#TornadoRainbow #NatureViral #StormChasers
“Have you ever witnessed a natural phenomenon like this? Tell us where & when!”
- “It’s nature’s version of irony—destruction and beauty all at once.”
Conclusion: A Viral Storm to Remember
Whether you’re a weather geek or just someone scrolling through TikTok, this tornado-rainbow clip is a reminder of how awe-inspiring nature can be. In a world often divided, it’s rare that something can make millions of people stop and watch in silent wonder.
Thanks to Connor McCarty and the skies above Nebraska, we now have a once-in-a-lifetime view to remind us: chaos and calm can coexist.
