<p>In this case I'd say it's a combination of Rayleigh scattering,<br>
Mie scattering and the angle of the sun.</p>

<p>Rayleigh scattering is related to the chemical composition of the atmosphere and occurs when the particles causing the scattering are smaller in size than the wavelengths of radiation in contact with them (this is why the sky appears blue most of the time). The yellow sky in this question is likely mostly owing to Mie scattering. Mie scattering is caused by pollen, dust, smoke, water droplets(the most likely culprit in this case), and other particles in the lower portion of the atmosphere. It occurs when the particles causing the scattering are larger than the wavelengths of radiation in contact with them. The angle of the sun and Raleigh scattering may also be at play, when the sun is low in the sky sunlight passes through more air than when the sun is higher in the sky. More atmosphere means more molecules to scatter the violet and blue light away from your eyes. If the path is long enough, all of the blue and violet light scatters out of your line of sight. The other colors continue on their way to your eyes. This is why sunsets are often yellow, orange, and red.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-08T11:38:43.707Z
2017-10-08T11:38:43.707Z
Tom Newton
<p>It's a concept called rayleigh scattering. Shorter wavelengths are scattered more and longer ones are scattered less. This explains why the sky is blue. Sometimes, after a storm passes, the yellow/orange tint is a result of that reyleigh scattering.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-08T10:46:08.410Z
Can you explain what about the setup of a situation like this would cause this?  Additionally why it's yellow and not the more typical oranges and reds of sunset?  Not picking on your answer, just would like to hear more details if you know it :-)
JeopardyTempest
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-08T04:07:51.930Z
2017-10-08T04:07:51.930Z
Brandon Molyneaux
<p>Today, I was coming back from music school, and it was raining heavily. An hour after I came back, the sun started coming out from one side, and the sky wa very brighr yellow. The lighting effects that came through all my windows were spectacular.</p>

<p>Here are some images:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/Athps.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Athps.jpg" alt="1"></a>
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/wlDBb.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/wlDBb.jpg" alt="2"></a>
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/kZDbM.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/kZDbM.jpg" alt="3"></a></p>

<p>I appreciate any explanation how phenomenon like this can occur and why.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-08T14:08:36.847Z
http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/reading-sky-turn-pink-10394678
gerrit
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-06T12:36:17.563Z
I am also interested in this question. Did you find a satisfactory answer yet?
Shishir Maharana
<meteorology><atmosphere><sun><light>
Why was the sky SO yellow?
KKZiomek
# Why was the sky SO yellow?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-10-07)

Today, I was coming back from music school, and it was raining heavily. An hour after I came back, the sun started coming out from one side, and the sky wa very brighr yellow. The lighting effects that came through all my windows were spectacular.

Here are some images:
[![1](https://i.sstatic.net/Athps.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/Athps.jpg)
[![2](https://i.sstatic.net/wlDBb.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/wlDBb.jpg)
[![3](https://i.sstatic.net/kZDbM.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/kZDbM.jpg)

I appreciate any explanation how phenomenon like this can occur and why.

**Tags:** meteorology, atmosphere, sun, light

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/reading-sky-turn-pink-10394678  
> **username_2**: I am also interested in this question. Did you find a satisfactory answer yet?  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2017-10-08. Score: 3

In this case I'd say it's a combination of Rayleigh scattering,  
Mie scattering and the angle of the sun.

Rayleigh scattering is related to the chemical composition of the atmosphere and occurs when the particles causing the scattering are smaller in size than the wavelengths of radiation in contact with them (this is why the sky appears blue most of the time). The yellow sky in this question is likely mostly owing to Mie scattering. Mie scattering is caused by pollen, dust, smoke, water droplets(the most likely culprit in this case), and other particles in the lower portion of the atmosphere. It occurs when the particles causing the scattering are larger than the wavelengths of radiation in contact with them. The angle of the sun and Raleigh scattering may also be at play, when the sun is low in the sky sunlight passes through more air than when the sun is higher in the sky. More atmosphere means more molecules to scatter the violet and blue light away from your eyes. If the path is long enough, all of the blue and violet light scatters out of your line of sight. The other colors continue on their way to your eyes. This is why sunsets are often yellow, orange, and red.


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### Answer by username_4 on 2017-10-08. Score: -1

It's a concept called rayleigh scattering. Shorter wavelengths are scattered more and longer ones are scattered less. This explains why the sky is blue. Sometimes, after a storm passes, the yellow/orange tint is a result of that reyleigh scattering.

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: Can you explain what about the setup of a situation like this would cause this?  Additionally why it's yellow and not the more typical oranges and reds of sunset?  Not picking on your answer, just would like to hear more details if you know it :-)  

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