Hang on Dorothy, you may be in for a rough ride when trying to predict cyclones by the color of the sky
The Science of Tornadoes
How funnels form, what drives tornado activity, and what scientists are doing to better understand them--our collection of articles, video and podcasts explain the basics
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April 18, 2011
Joshua Wurman at the Center for Severe Weather Research in Boulder, Colo., agrees: "I wouldn't call [the green sky] one of the burning issues in tornado science." Nevertheless, the research that is out there suggests that the green colored sky some might observe during a severe thunderstorm does have limited predictive power for those who live in areas where severe weather occurs, like Dorothy—and her little dog, too.
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3 Comments
Add CommentI moved to the mid-west, late in life and was surprised to see the eerie green cast sky. Unlike a blue sky, the air around you, when say looking at the house across the street, takes on a strange glow that almost makes you squint; it goes from gray darkness to a bright radium-dust effect like someone turned on a florescent bulb. I've also seen that happen where the glow is more orange than green. The green sky, as they said, does not always indicate that a storm will hit where you are, let alone a tornado (something I haven't seen here). I did get to see something that I'd always wanted to see and fascinated me as a child (from Portland, Oregon): Hail the size of golf balls. That was preceded by a green sky and followed by a clear sunny sky. The hail was lenticular but held up one way, the profile on most that fell was the easily size of a golf ball. Be careful what you wish for as a child. :-)
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWell, I suppose that where you live might make a difference in how well these various tips and old wives' tales work, but I will say two things. 1. if you are in Dallas, Texas and see a green sky you can almost always expect hail. and 2. if you are in Wichita Falls, Texas and a storm front is coming through...For the love of G_D, Man... GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI've lived on the prairies in both the US and Canada for 65 years. If the sky turns green, TAKE COVER! It may not be a tornado, but you can be sure the weather is about to take a turn for the much worse!
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