If You See The Sky Turn Green,

Something fascinating occurred recently in South Dakota, capturing widespread attention on the internet. In July of 2022, an extraordinary event took place when the sky in this state suddenly transformed into a vivid shade of green. The news spread rapidly across various online platforms, so it’s possible you may already be aware of it. But let’s delve deeper into what exactly happened]

On Tuesday, July 5th, 2022, shortly after a heavy storm had passed, the sky over South Dakota remained overcast. Locals ventured outside, only to be greeted by an intense and unprecedented dark green hue. People were taken aback, comparing the sight to something out of a science fiction or horror movie. Social media platforms, especially Twitter, became inundated with the striking yet eerie pictures of the green sky captured over the city of Sioux Falls and other towns.

Although the phenomenon might appear supernatural, it is, in fact, not a terrifying occurrence. Rather, it can be attributed to the interplay of light and the atmosphere, which manifests rarely and often signifies the approach of severe weather. The same was true for South Dakota—just before people began sharing photos, a thunderstorm swept through the town of Sioux Falls. This was confirmed by the U.S Weather Service. The storm itself was no ordinary one; it was classified as a “derecho” storm—a widespread and long-lived combination of severe thunderstorms and downpours.

Thunderstorms are a frequent sight in the United States, particularly during the warmer months. One out of every ten such thunderstorms has the potential to escalate into something more severe, such as a tornado. In the case of South Dakota, it experienced one such event—the “derecho” storm. While it shares similarities with tornadoes in terms of its destructive potential, there is a distinction between the two. A tornado is a vortex, a rotating column of air with an average diameter of about 500 feet, although it can sometimes span up to 2.5 miles. In contrast, a “derecho” storm is characterized by straight-line winds, akin to a determined marathon runner moving swiftly towards a specific destination.

To put it in perspective, a “derecho” storm typically falls within the range of a small to average level one to two tornado on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with wind speeds ranging from 73 to 113 miles per hour. Both phenomena can be accompanied by severe thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy rainfall. For a storm to be classified as a “derecho,” it must leave a path of damage exceeding 240 miles and feature sustained wind speeds of at least 58 miles per hour. Curiously, “derecho” storms can form unexpectedly, even on a clear day when meteorologists have not predicted any significant weather disturbances. The suddenness of their arrival can be astonishing, which is why the National Weather Service attempts to warn residents at least half an hour or an hour in advance, allowing them time to prepare and find shelter.

This time, the storm traversed nearly all of South Dakota, along with portions of Minnesota and Iowa. The consequences were significant, with over 30,000 people losing electricity. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries. The residents of South Dakota, accustomed to “derecho” storms, managed to weather the event relatively well. However, the transformation of the sky into a vibrant green hue puzzled everyone. People wondered about the significance of this occurrence—was it a foreboding sign or merely a peculiar weather phenomenon?

While scientists do not have a definitive explanation for the green sky, there are several plausible theories that hold some weight. A green sky is an extremely rare phenomenon, often associated with the presence of a powerful storm approaching an area shortly before sunrise or