Breathtaking rainbow and thunderstorm photographed in Colorado

Colorado – best known for its snow-capped mountains – also features stunning, rolling plains and grasslands allowing for sweeping vistas of the sky.

Victor Gensini, professor of meteorology at the College of DuPage leading a 10-day instructional storm chasing trip, pulled over in Norfolk, Colorado Tuesday not to photograph a tornado, but one of the most gorgeous rainbow scenes I’ve ever seen.

The photograph beautifully shows off the rolling terrain, the mushroom head of the billowing cumulus cloud, its vigorous rain shaft, and of course the vibrant rainbow backed by its duller twin.

After Gensini tweeted out his photo, Chris Liedle – a TV reporter in Eugene, Oregon – took the opportunity to share this stunning rainbow capture from his state:

@JimCantore @CandaceCampos @cod_stormchase Looks like my rainbow over Eugene, Oregon! pic.twitter.com/SBH6WmzMLv

— Chris Liedle (@chrisliedle) May 28, 2014

What a day for rainbows!