Sioux Falls Green Sky
Why did the skies over Sioux Falls, South Dakota, transform into a scene reminiscent of a fantastical movie on July 5, 2022? The answer, as captured in countless images and shared across social media, is a stunning display of green, a visual spectacle that heralded the arrival of a severe weather event.
The unusual hue, a vivid and almost unnerving green, painted the sky just before a powerful line of storms, including a derecho, slammed into the area. This wasn't a fleeting moment either; the eerie green persisted, casting an ominous light over the city and the surrounding landscape. Reports from various sources, including KELO.com, documented this extraordinary phenomenon, noting the unsettling greenish hue that enveloped Sioux Falls as the storm front moved in. Those present during the event described the experience as "truly weird," a sentiment echoed by many who witnessed the dramatic change in the atmosphere.
The genesis of this green sky lies in the interplay of sunlight and the components of a severe thunderstorm. While the exact mechanism isn't fully understood, the prevailing scientific explanation points towards a combination of factors. The presence of large hail and substantial water content within the storm clouds is crucial. As sunlight interacts with these elements, particularly the water and ice particles, the scattering of light takes place. The blue light is primarily scattered, and when combined with the red and yellow hues from the setting sun, it creates the striking green color that was so prominently displayed over Sioux Falls. This occurs just before sunset, adding to the drama and making the effect even more vivid.
| Event: | Green Sky over Sioux Falls |
| Date: | July 5, 2022 |
| Location: | Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA |
| Cause: | Severe Thunderstorm and Derecho |
| Mechanism: | Interaction of sunlight with water/ice particles within storm clouds, causing light scattering. Blue light is primarily scattered, combining with red/yellow hues to produce green. |
| Associated Weather: | Derecho (powerful storm system), high winds (up to 99 mph), large hail, heavy rainfall (over an inch in some areas), power outages (affecting over 30,000 people initially). |
| Visual Impact: | Eerie and ominous green sky before the storm. |
| Duration: | Relatively brief, occurring just before the storm's arrival. |
| Additional Details: | Event was preceded by fireworks celebrations for the Fourth of July. |
| Meteorological Classification: | Derecho (wind damage covering a distance of at least 400 miles) |
| Historical Context: | The green sky phenomenon is relatively rare, especially the intensity and magnitude observed in Sioux Falls. |
| Social Media Impact: | Widespread sharing of images and videos, capturing the internet's attention. |
| Media Sources: | KELO.com, Argus Leader, social media users |
| Impact: | The skies appeared dark and the color was eerily cast as green by the thunderstorm complex. |
| Source: | KELO.com |
The green sky served as a dramatic prelude to a derecho, a powerful and often destructive storm system. A derecho is characterized by a cluster of thunderstorms that produce widespread and significant wind damage. In this case, the storm system brought winds close to 100 mph in some areas, further classifying the event as a derecho. The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls confirmed the intensity of the storm, highlighting its capacity to travel for hundreds of miles. The storm moved into northwestern South Dakota during the early morning hours of July 5th after developing in Montana during the evening of July 4th, the same day when fireworks were displayed after celebrations.
The atmospheric display wasn't just a visual spectacle; it was also a harbinger of severe weather. The ominous green hue preceded the storm's arrival, serving as a natural warning sign for the residents of Sioux Falls. Old folktales, as noted by some, suggest a green sky is a precursor to tornadoes and/or large hail. However, while this correlation can sometimes hold true, it's not a definitive indicator.
The impact of the storm was significant. Over 30,000 people in the Sioux Falls area lost power on Tuesday night, as reported by The Argus Leader. While the power outages were gradually reduced, the immediate aftermath saw widespread disruption. The city also experienced heavy rainfall, with some areas receiving more than 3 inches within a few hours. The green sky, in addition to the high winds and torrential downpours, contributed to a sense of unease among the citizens of South Dakota.
The unusual color drew significant attention, both locally and across the internet. Eerie images of the green sky went viral, shared by numerous users on social media platforms. This event provided a stark reminder of the power of nature and the importance of staying informed about severe weather threats. This green sky of July 5, 2022, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, wasn't a scene ripped from a fantasy novel; instead, it was a reminder of the impressive, and at times, frightening, might of our natural world.
The magnitude of this particular green sky event seemed to be different from others, with many residents in the upper Midwest having not witnessed a green sky quite like that in their lifetimes. As the storm front moved into Sioux Falls on July 5, night seemed to fall early, with dark skies cast into a deep and eerie shade of green. The visual contrast between the daytime atmosphere and the eerie green added to the overall impact of the event. Experts say the green skies occur when blue light from rain clouds is combined with red and yellow.
The green sky phenomenon also led to comparisons with other rare occurrences in the sky. Despite the sky's appearance, this event was not an alien invasion. This was a relatively rare atmospheric occurrence. But this was the one thing that had everyone talking in the Sioux Falls area was the incredible green color of the sky behind the front.
This event serves as a reminder of the dynamic and sometimes unpredictable nature of our atmosphere. The combination of scientific principles and the raw power of a derecho created a moment that was both visually stunning and a testament to the power of nature. The memory of the green sky over Sioux Falls on that Tuesday night in July will likely linger, a vivid reminder of the day the sky turned an unforgettable shade of green.
