Derecho is a widespread, long-lived wind storm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms.
Nature proved once again she truly is an artist! People in South Dakota witnessed a rare phenomenon on Tuesday where the skies turned green. Something known as a "derecho" storm swept through the Sioux Falls region. What is it? According to the National Weather Service, "a derecho (pronounced similar to "deh-REY-cho") is a widespread, long-lived wind storm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms. Although a derecho can produce destruction similar to the strength of tornadoes, the damage typically is directed in one direction along a relatively straight swath. As a result, the term "straight-line wind damage" sometimes is used to describe derecho damage. By definition, if the wind damage swath extends more than 240 miles (about 400 kilometers) and includes wind gusts of at least 58 mph (93 km/h) or greater along most of its length, then the event may be classified as a derecho."
A derecho, which is a powerful wind storm extending more than 240 miles, moved through South Dakota and other parts of the Plains on Tuesday. The storm brought powerful winds — up to 99 miles per hour in some areas — and even turned the skies green. https://t.co/azKI3z5KT0
— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 6, 2022
So what causes the unique color of the sky? According to the Washington Post, a green sky occurs when blue light from rain clouds is combined with the red and yellow light from a sunset. This combination can produce a green hue. Storm chaser Tanner Charles tweeted an image of the sky caused by the storm, writing: The green in this thing is insane! Taken in Sioux Falls South Dakota looking southwest. One person even joked that the rare weather change "felt like being in a teaser for Stranger Things Season 5."
Have a look at some pictures of the unique phenomenon below:
No, the Hulk didn't make an appearance in South Dakota today, but the skies turned dark, and an eerie shade of green in Sioux Falls on Tuesday as a powerful #derecho moved through. #SDwx
— FOX Weather (@foxweather) July 6, 2022
Here's why the skies turned green: https://t.co/bADDfo643K pic.twitter.com/OFqOS1P9eW
The green in this thing is insane! Taken in Sioux Falls South Dakota looking south west. #sdwx pic.twitter.com/x7Yx6UE2wF
— Tanner Charles 🌪 (@TannerCharlesMN) July 5, 2022
The skies turn green before a storm hits in Sioux Falls, South Dakota tonight. Pic from Cory Martin. https://t.co/eSrteey7ZZ pic.twitter.com/QX5E6eivcM
— Dave Bondy (@DaveBondyTV) July 6, 2022
Very green sky on the west side of Sioux Falls pic.twitter.com/ECeZ97MJyl
— Aaron Doudna (@Aaron_Doodah) July 5, 2022
Unreal coloring moments ago east of Sioux Falls! This line means business! INCREDIBLE!#sdwx @NWSSiouxFalls @SevereStudios pic.twitter.com/O1qlS3gHC6
— Alex Resel 📸 (@aresel_) July 5, 2022
Timelapse of frightening thunderstorm just passed from #SiouxFalls#sdwx #wx #weather #THUNDERSTORM pic.twitter.com/FHPHs0iKuM
— Aafaque (@aafaque33) July 5, 2022
It’s GREEN green out. #siouxfalls pic.twitter.com/nJc16JKE3W
— Wicked Bitch of the East (@feralkattt) July 5, 2022
West of Beaver Creek, MN a few moments ago. Amazing green hue as the storm approaches. Staying ahead for now. #mnwx #sdwx @NWSSiouxFalls pic.twitter.com/RigteC5Ccn
— John Homenuk (@jhomenuk) July 5, 2022