<p>The angle of the sun and humidity, indeed have a major effect on the color of the sky. To start, when there is a higher humidity level there is obviously a greater quantity of water vapor in the atmosphere. This leads to more of what is called <a href="http://www.severewx.com/Radiation/scattering.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Mie scattering</a>. Mie scattering in this scenario is when the water vapor and water droplets direct more blue spectrum of light back into space causing you to see a smaller portion then what is possible with less scattering. Depending on where you live the seasons vary for when there is the least amount of humidity. </p>

<p>Now secondly, if you live between 30-60 degrees North or South, the suns angle changes enough, that the spectrum of light is affected. When the sun is closer to the horizon, the light is traveling through more atmosphere than it would if the sun were directly above. This leads to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rayleigh_scattering" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Rayleigh scattering</a>, which end and end directs more blue light to your eyes.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-05T23:14:47.007Z
2016-11-05T23:14:47.007Z
Aaron M
<p>I don't know why, but I have noticed my whole life that the sky's blue color seems saturated in winter and sort of pale, milky, and washed out in the summer. Does it have to do with the angle of the sun during seasons and/or the absolute humidity?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-05T18:53:20.900Z
Where do you live?
jamesqf
<atmosphere><atmospheric-chemistry>
Why is the sky bluer in winter than in summer?
user6847056
# Why is the sky bluer in winter than in summer?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-11-05)

I don't know why, but I have noticed my whole life that the sky's blue color seems saturated in winter and sort of pale, milky, and washed out in the summer. Does it have to do with the angle of the sun during seasons and/or the absolute humidity?

**Tags:** atmosphere, atmospheric-chemistry

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Where do you live?  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-11-05. Score: 3

The angle of the sun and humidity, indeed have a major effect on the color of the sky. To start, when there is a higher humidity level there is obviously a greater quantity of water vapor in the atmosphere. This leads to more of what is called [Mie scattering](http://www.severewx.com/Radiation/scattering.html). Mie scattering in this scenario is when the water vapor and water droplets direct more blue spectrum of light back into space causing you to see a smaller portion then what is possible with less scattering. Depending on where you live the seasons vary for when there is the least amount of humidity.

Now secondly, if you live between 30-60 degrees North or South, the suns angle changes enough, that the spectrum of light is affected. When the sun is closer to the horizon, the light is traveling through more atmosphere than it would if the sun were directly above. This leads to [Rayleigh scattering](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rayleigh_scattering), which end and end directs more blue light to your eyes.


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