Why does the sky turn green during a tornado-producing storm?
Patric and Jerome Gendron, St. Charles, Ill.
Dear Patric and Jerome,
No one really knows for sure. Based upon recent research, it is believed the greenish tint of some thunderstorms results from the effect that water drops have on sunlight that passes through the storm, especially when an unusually great amount of water exists within the thunderhead.
Research suggests water selectively absorbs most of the colors contained in sunlight, but scatters out the green light, and that is the light that reaches our eyes. Hail, once thought to be the culprit, is now believed not to be involved in the production of the green tint. One fact is known: The greenish tint is not associated with tornadoes, and many tornado-producing storms do not appear green.
———-
Tom Skilling is chief meteorologist at WGN-TV. His forecasts can be seen Monday through Friday on WGN-TV News at noon and 9 p.m.
Write to: ASK TOM WHY, 2501 Bradley Pl., Chicago, IL 60618 or asktomwhy@wgntv.com (Mail volume precludes personal response.)
WGN-TV meteorologists Steve Kahn, Richard Koeneman and Paul Dailey plus weather producer Bill Snyder contribute to this page.
