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3 days ago · Watch: Eerie Yellow Clouds Seen After Storm. June 4, 2024. When thunderstorms rolled through the Rapid City, South Dakota, area, a strange, yellow, cloudlike mist appeared in the sky.
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Aug 20, 2020 · Oftentimes, the sky will appear yellow when a thunderstorm occurs. According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, thunderstorms most often occur in the late afternoon or early evening, around the same time when the sun is beginning to set.
- Overview
- Possible Causes of a Yellow Sky
- Does a yellow sky mean a tornado is coming?
- Does it mean something bad when it's yellow outside?
Scientific reasons behind that eerie yellow sky (that have nothing to do with the apocalypse)
Does a yellow sky mean a tornado is coming?
Does it mean something bad when it's yellow outside?
You glance outside on a perfectly normal afternoon and notice the sky is glowing an eerie yellow—but why? A yellow sky can definitely look ominous, but don't worry, there's a perfectly logical explanation for that unusual yellowish tint. In this article, we'll explain exactly what's happening when it looks yellow outside and discuss all the possible scenarios that can create this effect in our sky.
The most common cause of a yellow sky is storm clouds. The clouds scatter the blue light coming from the sun, and this makes the light look yellow to us.
Dust storms, pollen, and smoke in the atmosphere can also cause it to look yellow outside for the same reason: they scatter the blue light in the sky.
A brewing storm (especially a late afternoon storm) is the most common reason for that eerie yellow cast that sometimes happens outside. The clouds scatter the short wavelengths of blue light that come from the sun, and when that scattered light is projected into the sky, it can look yellowish from our perspective here on earth.
When the clouds themselves look yellow, it's most likely due to the molecules of water inside of them. The molecules are blue, so when the light reflects off them and scatters, the clouds can look yellowish.
Sun’s position on the horizon
Scattered blue light is to blame, but in this case, the scattering is caused by the sun being low on the horizon. When the sun is low, the light passes through more air than it does during the day (when the sun is high in the sky). Natural molecules in the atmosphere scatter the violet and blue light away from our eyes, resulting in those gorgeous sunrise/sunset hues: yellow, orange, and red.
No, it's a myth that a yellow sky means a tornado is on the way.
A yellow sky usually just means a thunderstorm storm is brewing. Storm clouds can scatter the normal blue light in the sky, which sometimes creates a creepy yellow or even greenish glow (especially late afternoon storms when the sun is lower on the horizon).
A yellow or greenish sky also doesn't mean a hurricane is coming. In most cases, if you see dark clouds, you can expect a regular thunderstorm.
Thunderstorms are usually pretty safe as long as you take shelter, but it never hurts to be prepared for severe weather.
A yellow sky can look ominous, but rest assured it’s natural and normal.
Despite the perfectly reasonable scientific explanations, this phenomenon is actually quite rare. And since we’re very accustomed to our serene blue sky, that yellowish hue can look a bit haunting and unnatural. No matter what anyone says, though, the world isn't about to end and extreme weather is not necessarily imminent.
Check local weather reports and recent news stories for clues. If local meteorologists are expecting storms, or if you run across a news article about sand storms, wildfires, or extreme pollen, you'll know for sure what's happening.
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer,
While yellow is the most common, the sky can display an array of colors before turbulent weather: Greenish Hues. When a yellow sky mixes with the blue sky in swirling storm clouds, it can create an eerie greenish color.
3 days ago · A cloud of pollen settled over Boston on Monday, meteorologists said, turning the sky an eerie color. A thick layer of pollen blankets Boston on Monday. Ed Hughes. By Emily Spatz. June 4, 2024. 15 ...
Dec 26, 2023 · The yellow appearance of the sky during certain weather conditions is due to a phenomenon called Rayleigh scattering. This occurs when sunlight passes through the Earth’s atmosphere and is scattered by air molecules.
Jul 15, 2022 · The sky may turn yellow at sunset due to a high presence of dust in the environment or because of a brewing storm. A coming storm is one of the most common causes of a yellow sky, and a yellowish, orange hue might indicate a winter storm brewing on a relatively warm day.
