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
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Wow – red in the morning certainly paid off for us! Hope your rain comes/came. Nice post.
Reluctantfarmchiks last blog post..The Report. . .
Simply awesome. The red is so vibrant.
Photo Caches last blog post..Sky Watch #18
That is a spectacular red sky! Wonderful capture!
Louises last blog post..Yellow Cottonwood — SkyWatch
I’m glad your glad. 😉 Nothing like a good rain when it’s needed.
Beautiful and stunning shot
Brit’ Gal Sarahs last blog post..Skywatch Friday
Thank you all for your wonderful comments and yes, it is raining right now! Yeah!
What a lovely picture. That red sky is lovely.
Liza Lee Millers last blog post..Skywatch at the pumpkin farm
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
Amazing colors in this sky. The sailers around there better take extra extra care.
Faye Pekass last blog post..Howl at the Moon
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
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.
Nice capture of the morning sky.
Snapshutters last blog post..Sun Halo
Beautiful sky!
Happy Friday to you and Happy Halloween
Pattys last blog post..Sky Watch Friday
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
Gorgeous red sky. I would be thrilled to wake up to that sky too. Very pretty.
chrissyms last blog post..SkyWatch 16
The colors are fantastic and the site is very interesting.
Brads last blog post..The Market at Washingtonburg 2008…
What a beautiful photo.
Hope everyone is having a Happy Halloween and Blessed Samhain!
Gretchens last blog post..The Halloween Witch
Excellent colors, Larry! A wonderful sight!
Very good post and Video in the previous post, as well!
Cheers, Klaus
Beautiful!
(and thanks for stopping by my blogs)
skylarks last blog post..we shall see that it is all matter