Is there any truth to the “Red sky in morning, sailors take warning” weather proverb?
Yes, there is truth and sound science behind the proverb. Because weather systems in the mid-latitudes typically move from west to east, a red morning sky indicates clear skies on the eastern horizon, but cloud cover from an advancing storm overhead and to the west. This can mean that stormy weather is imminent. A red sky at night (“sailor’s delight”) can occur when the western sky is clear and clouds from a departing storm are overhead or to the east. It should be noted that this proverb only applies with storms. Red skies can also be caused by non-storm clouds. Learn more about weather forecasting on this USA TODAY resource page.
