“Red sky at night, shepherd’s delight. Red sky in the morning, shepherd’s warning” was a phrase I heard often in my childhood, and I suspect I’m not alone. I wondered if there was any scientific basis to it, and it turns out there is.
Because the UK’s prevailing wind is from the west, a red sunset can give us an indication of what weather to expect. The colour is caused by high pressure trapping dust in the atmosphere. The dust scatters blue light, leaving only red light. High pressure is often associated with fine weather, so a red sky to the west implies high pressure, and good weather, are on their way.
A red sunrise, to the east, implies the opposite – high pressure has passed over us, leaving low pressure, and thus unsettled weather, in its wake.
This only works if the wind is coming from the west.
Have you got any sunrise or sunset photos that you’re particularly proud of? send them in and we’ll create a gallery on the website!