Ask StormTeam 16: Why Does The Sky Have A Pink Hue When It Snows?

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Closings and Delays

For this week's Ask StormTeam 16 segment, Meteorologist David Harker answers a question about the color of the sky when it snows.

Jennifer Brandenburg asks: Why does the sky have a pink hue when it is snowing or about to snow?

It has to do with light reflection. On a spectrum scale measuring wavelengths, the red light has a longer wavelength, which does not allow it to scatter as easily as colors such as blues and greens. This is why sunsets are typically orange and red.

With regards to the sky when snow looks to move in, light bouncing off clouds and atmospheric particles is scattered, leaving longer wavelengths as the color we see. When snow is falling, that same light reflects off all the different snowflakes, giving a pink hue to the sky.

You may also see different tints and hues in the sky in the city due to artificial lighting. Low clouds drop snowflakes, and once you get a good rate of speed of snow falling, you get a reflection of light off of the snowflakes. The color of the sky will vary depending on the color of the lighting. In some cases, you will see pinks, reds, yellows, and whites.

Also, have you heard the saying "red sky at night, sailor's delight"? This also comes from the same idea of light reflection. This means that if you see a red glow to the sky at night, a storm is either moving through or has already done so. The light from the sun, setting in the west, will reflect off the backside of the clouds, meaning drier and better weather is coming the following day.

Our Ask StormTeam 16 segment airs every Wednesday evening and again on Thursday mornings. If you have a weather-related question you would like to have answered, email the question to [email protected]