Green Skies: A Rare and Beautiful Sight, or a Jaded Warning Sign of Severe Weather?

Have you ever seen a green sky? It's a rare sight, but it can be truly amazing. Some people say that green skies are a sign of good luck, while others believe that they're a warning of bad weather. But no matter what you believe, there's no denying that green skies are a beautiful and unique phenomenon.

On July 5, 2022, the sky in South Dakota turned a bright green color. This phenomenon is rare and is often caused by a powerful storm approaching. In this case, the storm was a derecho,(try saying that 3 times fast!) which is a long-lived and widespread thunderstorm that can produce high winds and heavy rain.

The green sky is caused by a combination of factors. The first sign will be the sun low in the sky, such as at sunrise or sunset. This is because the blue light waves from the sun are scattered more easily by the atmosphere than the red light waves. Imagine that from a first person view, stunning! So, when the sun is low in the sky, the blue light waves are scattered away, and the red light waves are more likely to reach our eyes.

Second, there's usually large water droplets or hail in the clouds. These water droplets or hail act like a prism, refracting the light from the sun and causing it to appear green.

The green sky in South Dakota was likely caused by a combination of these factors. The storm was approaching at sunset, and there were large water droplets or hail in the clouds. As a result, the sun's light was scattered and refracted, causing the sky to appear green.

Here are some additional interesting facts about green skies:

The green sky phenomenon has been reported for centuries.

The earliest recorded instance of a green sky was in 1588, when Spanish sailors reported seeing a green sky during a battle with the English. This is possibly where some of that mythic lore of good fortune came from or misfortune, considering that the Spanish lost that battle but that's a tale for another time!

In 1872, a green sky was seen in Chicago before a major tornado struck the city.

In 2012, a green sky was seen in Oklahoma before a series of tornadoes killed dozens of people. Even though they aren't assosicated with tornadoes spotings it seems to happen ever so often as it did in 1872. Kind of like a 'well since you're here' effect. If that makes sense!

While a green sky can be a beautiful sight, it is also a sign of a severe storm. If you see a green sky, it is best to take shelter and stay safe.

Here are some additional details about green skies:

Green skies are most commonly seen in the Midwest and Great Plains of the United States.

They can also be seen in other parts of the world, such as Australia, India, and China.

The green sky phenomenon is not fully understood, but scientists believe that it is caused by a combination of factors, including the angle of the sun, the presence of water droplets or hail in the clouds, and the amount of pollution in the atmosphere.

Green skies are not necessarily a sign of a tornado, but they can be a warning sign of severe weather.

If you see a green sky, it is important to take precautions:

Stay indoors and away from windows.

If you are outdoors, find shelter in a sturdy building.

Remember the sky can be jaded too, so be safe when driving and be sure to keep your wits about you when the sky is jaded!