Home
Weather London
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
Career
Home / Editor's Pick /

Red sky at night, shepherd's delight?

20:00
22 April 2023

Is it true?
Red sky at night, shepherd's delight?

Red sky

"Red sky at night shepherd's delight; red sky in the morning shepherd's warning”, is there truth behind the popular phrase?

The colours we see at sunrise/sunset are because of sunlight being scattered as it passes through the atmosphere and ricocheted off water vapour, aerosols, and dust particles in the atmosphere.

It is the amount of water vapour and particles in the atmosphere which give the indication of upcoming weather conditions based on the colours we see.

In the mid-latitudes, weather moves from west to east. So, when a storm exits, stable weather arrives from the west. The sun, which sets in the west, then illuminates the departing clouds with hues of orange, yellow, and red.

This is what makes the first half of the saying make sense scientifically: "red skies at night, shepherd's delight."

However, should you see a red sky in the morning, the sun, which rises in the east, is illuminating the clouds of an incoming weather system and rain from the west. This is why the phrase ends with "red skies in the morning, shepherd's warning".

Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
Left: Weather radar from Monday evening – Right: The corresponding wind radar
Wednesday, 1 April 2026

Air quality dropping

Saharan dust coats the Canaries
Split image with UK nighttime weather map on the left showing clouds, rain bands, and temperatures, and a bright full moon above dark pine trees on the right.
Wednesday, 1 April 2026

Good visibility for most

The Pink Moon rises tonight
UK and Ireland map shaded in warm tones showing UV levels, with values up to 22 in southern England and lower values in Scotland, plus a circular UV icon.
Tuesday, 7 April 2026

Sunscreen season

UV levels rising with the warmth
All weather news
This might also interest you
plit image showing a double rainbow over a rocky shoreline on the left and sheep grazing in a green field under stormy clouds on the right.
Sunday, 2 November 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Mixed conditions on an unsettled week
Outline of Santa Claus with a yellow and white hat, "Ho-Ho-Ho" next to the outline above a Christmas tree.
Thursday, 25 December 2025

Merry Christmas!

Wishes from Weather & Radar
Split image showing strong winds over the UK on a forecast map and widespread rain and snow on a weather radar map.
Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Severe gales & heavy rain

Storm Chandra makes impact
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList