The rhyme “red sky at night, sailors delight; red sky at morning, sailors take warning” is a well-known saying among mariners and weather watchers. It refers to using the color of the sky at sunrise and sunset as an indication of impending weather conditions. The rhyme has its origins in meteorological lore and observation and has served as guidance for sailors and fisherman for centuries when forecasting weather and planning voyages. Though not infallible, there is some scientific basis for the general principle behind the rhyme.
Origin and History
The origins of the rhyme are unclear, but early recorded versions date back centuries. In the Bible verse Matthew 16:2-3, Jesus states “When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering.” This passage makes reference to the same idea as the sailors rhyme – that a red sky in morning indicates foul or stormy weather ahead while a red sky at night suggests fair weather.
An early English version of the rhyme appears in the 1546 ‘An Agricultural Notebook’ that reads “If the sun goes pale to bed, ‘Twill rain tomorrow, it is said.” Other variations arose over the next few centuries before the now familiar “red sky at night…” wording became standardized.
The rhyme grew popular as it proved reliable for many sailors and farmers who spent a lot of time observing the skies. It became widespread oral tradition and a weather lore proverb. The saying was common enough to be documented in Captain Francis Bacon’s ‘Of Aphorisms’ in 1620 which compiled useful knowledge. The rhyme gained lasting prominence when it appeared in the 1830 poem ‘A Wet Sheet and A Flowing Sea’ by Scottish poet Allan Cunningham. This romantic nautical poem helped cement the sailors rhyme in popular culture.
Meteorological Basis
The general basis of the rhyme lies in the connection between the appearance of the sky and weather patterns in the troposphere. Different colors result from the scattering or absorption of sunlight by moisture and dust particles.
A red sky at sunrise or sunset is caused by sunlight passing through dust particles. This often indicates high pressure and stable air coming in which generally means fair weather. The dry air from high pressure causes dust and smoke particles to accumulate, enhancing the red and orange hues as sunlight scatters at lower angles along the horizon.
In contrast, a red sky in the morning is caused by moist air that scatters more blue light. This leaves relatively more red light to come through. The air is likely full of moisture and unstable, meaning storms and rain could be moving in soon. The wet air before a rainstorm scatters and absorbs light differently compared to dry air.
While this meteorological principle forms the basis of the rhyme, it does have limitations. Other weather factors can also affect sky color including cloud cover, pollution, and wind patterns. Additionally, weather systems do not always move perfectly west to east, so a morning red sky does not universally indicate an approaching storm. However, the general idea that a morning red sky means rain while an evening one means fair weather holds up reasonably well.
| Sky color | Morning indication | Evening indication |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Storms possibly approaching | Fair weather likely ahead |
| Grayish | Rain likely | Continued wet weather |
| Blue | Fair for now | Remaining fair weather |
Usage and Reliability
The rhyme remains popular today, especially among mariners, farmers, and weather hobbyists who spend a lot of time outdoors observing weather patterns. It remains a good rule of thumb when used properly. To improve reliability:
– Watch trends over multiple days rather than just a single instance of red sky
– Use in conjunction with other signs like cloud cover and pressure changes
– Consider location and seasonal weather patterns that impact your area
– Allow a wide timeframe for weather change from a few hours to 1-2 days
The rhyme is most useful around dawn and dusk when colors are more discernible to the eye. It’s best used as general guidance not a definitive forecast since many variables can affect coloring and weather movement. It remains a helpful folk tool when making short-term plans regarding weather and a fun reminder of sailing traditions. Just don’t stake your whole voyage on a red morning sky!
Examples in Poetry and Song
The sailors rhyme has remained popular over centuries because it distills complex meteorology into an easy-to-remember rhyme. The saying has endured as oral tradition and became ensconced through literary references. Some examples include:
– “A Wet Sheet and A Flowing Sea” (poem, 1830) by Allan Cunningham: “For sailors, ’tis a pleasant sight / To see a good ship tight and right; / The stays well stretched, the risings smart, / The guiding ropes all taut and trim / No danger near, no fear, no doubt, / But hear the boatswain pipe the shout – / Good deck ahoy, the night looks well, / Up with your helm, my boys, and yell! / But when the morning sky is red / Go lower the topsails, reef each thread / Of canvas from the gaskets free / And heave the lead to watch the sea.”
– “American Practical Navigator” (handbook, 1939) by Nathaniel Bowditch: “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky at morning, sailors take warning.”
– “Maggie May” (folk song) by Bob Stewart: “For the wind is humming a mournful tune, and the waves splash against the barque, It’s time for us to say goodbye, for the weather shows a mark, Chorus: So fare thee well, my bonny young girl, we’re bound away from you, We’re bound away at the break of day, when the sky’s red in the morning.”
Related Weather Lore
In addition to the red sky rhyme, numerous other weather sayings exist based on observation and decades of experience. Some other examples of weather lore include:
– “Clear moon, frost soon” – A clear night sky with good visibility of the moon often indicates colder temps.
– “Mackerel sky, mackerel sky, never long wet, never long dry” – Cirrocumulus cloud formations suggest changing weather.
– “When seabird fly to the land, a stormy gale is at hand” – Seabirds coming inland indicates stormy weather at sea.
– “Rain before seven, clear by eleven” – Morning rain means clearer afternoon weather.
– “When the stars begin to huddle, the earth will soon become a puddle” – Clustering stars due to high humidity means impending rain.
While none of these are foolproof, they capture observational patterns that can indicate weather shifts. Over time, sailors, farmers, and others compiled these useful rhymes and sayings to help guide their plans. The red sky rhyme remains one of the most famous and enduring examples of weather lore.
Conclusion
The old sailors rhyme “red sky at night, sailors delight; red sky at morning, sailors take warning” beautifully captures weather lore passed down for centuries. Though not a definitive forecast, it notes red hues at dawn often precede wet weather while red at dusk suggests fair conditions ahead. The saying endures because it has reasonable meteorological basis and proved helpful guidance before modern forecasting. The rhyme remains popular with mariners and weather hobbyists who observe patterns in the sky. It continues on as oral tradition and through references in poetry, song, and literature as a charming fixture of weather wisdom.
