23/05/2026
🌅 You’ve probably heard the old saying:
“Red sky at night, shepherd’s delight. Red sky in the morning, shepherd’s warning.”
It actually has some science behind it, especially in places like New Zealand where our weather usually moves in from the west.
A red sky often happens when high pressure traps dust and other tiny particles in the atmosphere. When the sun is low on the horizon, its light has to travel through more of the atmosphere, and all those particles scatter the blue light away, leaving the sky glowing red and orange.
🌇 Red sky at night
If the sky is glowing red in the west at sunset, it usually means a high‑pressure system is moving in, bringing clearer, settled weather. That’s why the next day is often dry and pleasant.
🌄 Red sky in the morning
A red sunrise in the east means that high pressure has already passed over us and is moving away. What’s coming behind it from the west? Often a low pressure system, which can mean rain, wind, or sometimes severe weather on the way.
Additionally, our sun angle is lower this time of year a we head toward astronomical winter, which adds to the amount of atmosphere light has to travel through before it reaches your eyes.
So next time you see a fiery sunrise or a glowing sunset, you’re not just looking at a pretty sky, you’re getting a sneak peek at the weather pattern rolling across New Zealand.
Below is the sunrise from our camera from Lauder in Otago, 20 May 2026.
