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Tornadoes and rainbows are rare enough by themselves in any given location, but in Germany on Thursday, the two phenomena appeared at the same time and were captured in stunning photos shared on social media.

A small tornado touched down Thursday in the Bavarian town of Kürnach, about 60 miles east-southeast of Frankfurt.

(MORE: Tornado Central)

More than 50 homes were damaged, and several trees were downed, reported WetterOnline. Between 20 and 30 roofs were blown off, the Associated Press reported. No injuries were reported.

(MORE: Your Odds of Being Hit by a Tornado)

The contrast between the dark sky background, the white rope tornado and rainbow made for what may arguably be the weather photo of the year.

At least one video shows the tornado appearing to be aligned with the rainbow for a few brief moments, at least from the vantage point of this motorist.

Additional video from the Main-Post suggests there was a secondary rainbow.

Rainbows occur thanks to the reflection of sunlight by raindrops. To see one, you need your back to the sun and rain must be occurring somewhere in the sky.

A comprehensive 2016 study of European tornadoes found that 1,108 tornadoes have been reported in Germany from the middle of the ninth century A.D. through 2005.

The study found that while the majority of Germany's tornadoes occur in heat and humidity of summer, winter tornadoes are not necessarily rare over northern Europe. 

In this case, a vigorous upper-level disturbance may have provided enough spin and instability, or very cold air aloft, to trigger this single thunderstorm spawning a ghost-like tornado – and a rainbow to boot.

Jonathan Erdman is a senior meteorologist at weather.com and has been an incurable weather geek since a tornado narrowly missed his childhood home in Wisconsin at age 7. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

MORE ON WEATHER.COM: Rainbow Photobombs