What Is a Green Sky Storm
A green sky storm is a severe thunderstorm that can turn the sky a greenish or yellowish color. This unusual tint often appears before large hail, strong winds, or tornadoes. The color is caused by light scattering through tall storm clouds carrying heavy rain and ice.
Why the Sky Turns Green
The green color happens when sunlight passes through a dense storm cloud filled with water droplets and hail. Blue light is scattered more, and when it mixes with the red and yellow light from the sun, the sky can look green. This effect is most common in late afternoon storms.
Green Sky Storm and Severe Weather Risk
Meteorologists note that a green sky can signal a high risk of severe weather, including damaging hail and tornadoes. While a green sky does not guarantee a tornado, it often appears with the most intense part of a storm. For property and crop insurers, these storms can lead to sudden claims spikes and market volatility.
For more on severe thunderstorm safety, see Severe Thunderstorm Safety.
