What is what does it mean when the sky is yellow during a storm?

A yellow sky during a storm is a fascinating and somewhat unsettling phenomenon, often associated with severe weather. Here's a breakdown of what it means:

• Scattering%20of%20Light: The primary reason for the yellow sky is the way light interacts with the atmosphere, specifically a process called scattering. Under normal conditions, air molecules scatter blue light from the sun, which is why the sky usually appears blue.

• Presence%20of%20Particles: During a storm, especially a severe one, there's a higher concentration of particles in the atmosphere. These can include:

  • Dust
  • Smoke (from wildfires, for example)
  • Water droplets (rain, hail)

• Rayleigh%20Scattering: These particles are larger than air molecules. This causes a greater scattering of longer wavelengths of light like red and yellow, while blue light is scattered away more effectively.

• Storm%20Clouds: Storm clouds often contain a great deal of water and ice, which absorb and scatter light. When the sun's light passes through these clouds, blue light is further reduced, leaving more yellow and red light to reach the ground.

• Time%20of%20Day: The time of day can also play a role. If the sun is lower in the sky (near sunrise or sunset), its light already has to travel through more of the atmosphere, causing more blue light to be scattered away. This, combined with storm conditions, can intensify the yellow hue.

• Severe%20Weather: While not always indicative of immediate danger, a yellow sky during a storm is often associated with severe weather, including:

  • Strong winds
  • Large hail
  • Tornadoes (though not a direct indicator). A yellow sky may contribute to making a tornado visually hard to see.