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Red Sky In The Morning – Skywatch Friday #16

Sailors Take Warning, Red Sky At Night, Sailor’s Delight is how the rest of the saying goes.  The ancient proverb began long before humans could predict the weather with any accuracy and we relied on observation to try to decipher what kind of day we would have.

The amounts of water vapor and dust particles in the atmosphere are good indicators of weather conditions.  They also determine which colors we will see in the sky.  We see the longer red wavelengths of light travelling through the thickest part of the atmosphere at sunrise and sunset, when the sun is low on the horizon, denoting an atmosphere loaded with dust and moisture.

Storms and rains usually move from west to east. A reddish sky around sunrise means a lot of water vapor already present in the atmosphere. As clouds come in from the west, rainy weather is thus expected. This explains why “Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning”.

A reddish sky near dusk means that weather has improved in the upstream area to the west. Sunlight scattered by the atmosphere is reflected by clouds, making the sky red. As the clouds overhead have moved eastward, the weather is expected to improve. That explains why “Red sky at night, sailors delight”.

When I got up this morning and saw this gorgeous sky I was exstatic, knowing we should be getting some rain here by tonight 😉  See more great photos at Skywatch Friday

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Reluctantfarmchik October 30, 2008, 1:16 pm

    Wow – red in the morning certainly paid off for us! Hope your rain comes/came. Nice post.

    Reluctantfarmchiks last blog post..The Report. . .

  • Photo Cache October 30, 2008, 1:58 pm

    Simply awesome. The red is so vibrant.

    Photo Caches last blog post..Sky Watch #18

  • Louise October 30, 2008, 2:00 pm

    That is a spectacular red sky! Wonderful capture!

    Louises last blog post..Yellow Cottonwood — SkyWatch

  • East Gwillimbury WOW! October 30, 2008, 2:47 pm

    I’m glad your glad. 😉 Nothing like a good rain when it’s needed.

  • Brit' Gal Sarah October 30, 2008, 4:18 pm

    Beautiful and stunning shot

    Brit’ Gal Sarahs last blog post..Skywatch Friday

  • Larry October 30, 2008, 8:03 pm

    Thank you all for your wonderful comments and yes, it is raining right now! Yeah!

  • Liza Lee Miller October 30, 2008, 8:26 pm

    What a lovely picture. That red sky is lovely.

    Liza Lee Millers last blog post..Skywatch at the pumpkin farm

  • Thomas October 30, 2008, 9:37 pm

    I have rarely seen a red sky in the morning…and thanks for the interpretation on this.

    The image is really beautiful

    Thomass last blog post..Birding in India @ Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

  • Faye Pekas October 30, 2008, 10:49 pm

    Amazing colors in this sky. The sailers around there better take extra extra care.

    Faye Pekass last blog post..Howl at the Moon

  • naturegirl October 30, 2008, 10:57 pm

    Beauty in a red sky! I have memories of a French sky as my SWF.
    Different way to secure comment…math.Q!!

    naturegirls last blog post..Parisian Skies

  • Wren October 31, 2008, 5:02 am

    I always forget the second part of the saying – thanks for a stunning photo that’s also a good visual reminder. And as you say, if you need rain, a sailor’s warning can be a blessing.

  • Snapshutter October 31, 2008, 5:06 am

    Nice capture of the morning sky.

    Snapshutters last blog post..Sun Halo

  • Patty October 31, 2008, 8:08 am

    Beautiful sky!
    Happy Friday to you and Happy Halloween

    Pattys last blog post..Sky Watch Friday

  • Margy October 31, 2008, 4:34 pm

    A beautiful sky for sure. We had a gorgeous sunset three nights ago and I didn’t have a camera. I should know better than to go out without one. I invite you to come meet Mr. Boo for a Halloween wish. – Margy

    Margys last blog post..Happy Halloween from Up the Lake

  • chrissym October 31, 2008, 5:40 pm

    Gorgeous red sky. I would be thrilled to wake up to that sky too. Very pretty.

    chrissyms last blog post..SkyWatch 16

  • Brad October 31, 2008, 6:43 pm

    The colors are fantastic and the site is very interesting.

    Brads last blog post..The Market at Washingtonburg 2008…

  • Gretchen October 31, 2008, 8:25 pm

    What a beautiful photo.

    Hope everyone is having a Happy Halloween and Blessed Samhain!

    Gretchens last blog post..The Halloween Witch

  • Klaus November 1, 2008, 12:22 pm

    Excellent colors, Larry! A wonderful sight!
    Very good post and Video in the previous post, as well!
    Cheers, Klaus

  • skylark November 10, 2008, 3:10 pm

    Beautiful!

    (and thanks for stopping by my blogs)

    skylarks last blog post..we shall see that it is all matter