Q. What is the cause of a coppery yellow sun-set?
A. Because the vapour of the air is actually condensed into clouds; in which case it “refracts” (or bends) the yellow rays of the sun towards the horizon, where they are reflected at sun-set.
Q. Why is a yellow sunset an indication of wet?
A. Because the vapours of the air are already condensed into clouds; rain, therefore, may be shortly expected.
Q. What is the cause of a red sun-rise?
A. Vapour in the upper region of the air just on the point of being condensed.
Q. Why is a red and lowering sky at sunrise an indication of a wet day?
A. Because the higher regions of the air are laden with vapour, on the very point of condensation, which the rising sun cannot disperse. Hence our Lord’s observation, “In the morning (ye say) it will be foul weather to-day, for the sky is red and lowering.” (Matt. xvi. 3.)
Q. Why is a grey morning an indication of a fine day?