GREENSBORO, N.C. — You've heard the old maritime tale, red skies at night - sailor's delight; red sky in the morning - sailors take warning. So, when the sky turns green, is a tornado what that means?
VERIFY QUESTION
Do green-colored skies mean a strong storm and tornado are imminent?
VERIFY SOURCE
Meteorologist Terran Kirksey
VERIFY PROCESS
Kirksey acknowledged we often see green skies before storms, but there is no scientific agreement about the specific cause of the green.
"It does not always mean a tornado is coming, but it does mean that a thunderstorm with heavy rain, and likely hail, is on the way," Kirksey said.
He further explained there is a theory many meteorologists - including him - support. The combination of a lot of water (heavy rain and hail), along with a low sun angle in late afternoon and the setting sun, create the green hue.
VERIFY CONCLUSION
It is true a green sky indicates a pending severe storm, but it does not always mean a tornado.
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