![]() The shorter wavelengths, such as blue, are scattered and broken up. We see the red, because red wavelengths (the longest in the color spectrum) are breaking through the atmosphere. The moisture vapor, dirt and dust concentrations are maximized in the lowest layers of the atmosphere when the atmosphere is dominated by sinking air (high pressure).Ī red sky suggests an atmosphere loaded with dust and moisture particles. The sun’s rays also pass through a greater length of atmosphere at sunrise and sunset than at any other time of day. Also, the colors that you see in the sky are created by the rays of the sun being split into different colors as they pass through the atmosphere and bounce off the water vapor and particulate matter floating in the atmosphere. This means storm systems generally move in from the West, where the sun sets. Generally speaking, in the mid-latitudes, weather systems move from west to east, while the prevailing winds are from the west. Turns out, there is some science to back up this saying. And in the morning, it will be foul weather today for the sky is red and lowering.” And so did The Bard, William Shakespeare, who wrote in his play Venus and Adonis: “Like a red morn that ever yet betokened, Wreck to the seaman, tempest to the field, Sorrow to the shepherds, woe unto the birds, Gusts and foul flaws to herdmen and to herds.” In Matthew XVI: 2-3, Jesus said, “When in evening, ye say, it will be fair weather: For the sky is red. Was there really something concrete to this old adage that could help predict the weather, and thus, help us stay safe in places where Mother Nature can violently turn on you in a heartbeat?Įven Jesus noticed this phenomenon. But later, when I spent a lot of time guiding fishermen and hunters from a relatively small boat in in the oceans of southeast Alaska, it was a saying I took to heart.īeing the curious sort, I researched it a bit. I didn’t think much about it then, being in grade school. Red sky in morning, sailor take warning.” It was a day that started out with a gorgeous red sunrise on the ocean that made me think we were in for a long day of great fun that turned into one of those “batten down the hatches” days when the winds kicked up seemingly out of nowhere and we had to run for the marina like scalded dogs. Grandpa was the first person I ever heard say, “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. During those fishing trips he and dad would banter on about the world, while I discovered early on that - if I kept my mouth shut and paid attention - I just might learn a few things. And later, after dad bought a small boat, bass fishing in lakes and inshore saltwater fishing for salmon and halibut. He was also the best fisherman I’ve ever been around and, together with my dad, they took me stream fishing for trout. He had no formal education to speak of, but the World War I veteran had a lot of street smarts. ![]() My Grandpa Robb was quite the character, one of those Dust Bowl survivors who picked up and moved with Grandma to southern California from Missouri in the 1930s when there was no work to be had.
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