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Clouds at Night

Clouds at Night


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I have always wondered why when there are night snowstorms are the clouds a pink, or light blue color? This has always bugged me ever since I was a little kid.

Michael L.

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A good question indeed, this one has to do with light. Whenever it rains or snow, we must remember all of that and our clouds are made of water or ice (not cotton, but some of the first graders we visit think so). Water reflects lights. Depending on where you are the color of the clouds during a rain shower or snow shower at night will look different. If you live in the city, the clouds will often look pink or orange. If you live far away from everyone and don't have any lights around, the clouds will just look dark and gray.

You can see lots of colors though in our clouds especially when we have a bright moon and the clouds have openings in them, such as an altocumulus deck of clouds. Then you will see many colors of light being reflected back to your eyes. This is called a Corona, and sometimes, those look a bit blue.

Answered by KSL Meteorologist Dina Freedman

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