Red Sky at Night Trivia Quiz

Answer: it indicates favorable weather coming

Most cloud systems move from west to east. At sunset, a red sky means the sun is likely shining through a lot of dust in the air to the east, scattering the shorter wavelengths (blues and greens). The dust in the air to the east indicates turbulent air is passing, so barometric pressure will rise and generally fair weather will come.

A red sky at sunrise means the sunlight is reflecting on dust particles in the west, with stormy weather likely to approach the viewer.

Answer: rain coming

This is one of those tales that isn't always true. It may indicate a storm approaching because outflow winds from a storm center usually move in the opposite direction of winds in the updraft zone. If the clouds are on the lee side of a low pressure area, however, then it is likely the current weather will remain for several hours.

Answer: high barometric pressure

Fair weather due to high pressure usually allows for radiative cooling at night which results in dew being formed early in the morning. The clear weather will likely persist for hours.

Answer: ice crystals in the air

Ice crystals high in the atmosphere are indicative of moisture starting to move in at lower levels. The halo is caused by refraction of the moon's light by the ice crystals. The same phenomenon can happen with the sun, too. A halo is a more reliable indicator of storms in warmer months than during winter.

Answer: rain approaching

When there are rapid humidity changes before a rain storm, leaves' stems will soften, allowing wind to turn them over. Some trees, such as aspen and poplar, are better than others at this kind of forecasting.

Answer: When sounds travel far and wide, a stormy day will betide.

Sound traveling is the answer. Moist summer air carries sound farther because it is a better conductor of sound than dry air, so moist air indicates an approaching low pressure area and the likelihood of precipitation. In the winter, though, cold, dense air is a good sound conductor, so sound traveling long distances then indicates that the clear, cold weather will remain for a while.

Answer: strong winds approaching

Seabirds prefer to be in the air or to sleep on the water. Strong winds may make flying difficult for them and they don't like rough seas, so they go to land. This is not a long-term prediction of bad weather, it's more a sign that the weather is getting bad right now.

Answer: Yes

It's a fact! A cricket's metabolism changes with the weather. To find the temperature in Fahrenheit degrees, count the number of chirps in a 14-second period and add 14. There are variations of this formula but it is quite accurate.

Answer: falling atmospheric pressure

This is another maxim open to interpretation. It does seem to have some validity and researchers think it may be that falling atmospheric pressure causes blood vessels to dilate slightly. This causes further irritation of already-strained nerves near dental cavities or arthritic joints. Other researchers say it's due to selective memory.

Answer: high clouds indicate high pressure

High barometric pressure causes drier air, so there is less humidity to condense into clouds at lower levels.