Fiery Red Sky Potential
Atmospheric suitability for fiery red sky conditions across extended time window around sunrise/sunset periods. Enhanced with CAMS aerosol data (AOD, particle composition, Ångström exponent) and GFS upper-air humidity for improved color prediction.
What is Fiery Red Sky Potential?
Technical detailsFiery Red Sky Potential predicts the likelihood and intensity of dramatic red and orange sky coloration during sunrise and sunset. This Pro-tier condition uses advanced atmospheric scattering physics, incorporating CAMS aerosol data including Aerosol Optical Depth, dust and smoke composition, and the Ångström exponent, plus GFS upper-air humidity measurements to model light scattering behavior. The algorithm evaluates cloud positioning in both solar and antisolar directions, surface visibility, and atmospheric moisture to forecast when conditions align for intense red sky photography.
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How to use this conditionEvaluates atmospheric conditions for intense red/orange sky coloration during sunrise and sunset. Uses CAMS aerosol data (optimal AOD 0.1-0.25 enhances scattering) and upper-air humidity for superior color prediction. Dust-dominated aerosols create warmer tones; smoke degrades colors. Combine with 'solar_elevation: [-6, 2]' for optimal timing.
Fiery Red Sky Potential in photography
In depthFiery Red Sky Potential is PhotoWeather's most sophisticated metric for predicting intense red and orange sky conditions during sunrise and sunset, designed for photographers chasing those rare moments when the entire sky ignites with color. While many weather apps show generic sunrise and sunset times, PhotoWeather's Pro-tier algorithm goes far deeper by modeling atmospheric scattering physics using CAMS (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service) aerosol data and GFS upper-air measurements. The science behind fiery red skies is complex: when sunlight passes through the atmosphere at a low angle during sunrise or sunset, shorter wavelengths (blue and green) scatter away, leaving longer red and orange wavelengths to dominate. However, the intensity of this effect depends on multiple atmospheric factors that standard forecasts ignore.
Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) is critical—the optimal range of 0.1-0.25 enhances scattering to produce vivid colors, while values too low yield pale skies and values too high from heavy smoke degrade color quality. PhotoWeather incorporates dust and smoke composition analysis because dust-dominated aerosols create warmer red and orange tones, whereas smoke tends to produce muddier colors. The Ångström exponent reveals particle size distribution, helping predict color purity. Cloud positioning is equally vital: mid-level clouds on the solar horizon catch direct sunlight for brilliant illumination, while high clouds on the antisolar horizon provide a canvas for reflected color.
The algorithm uses bidirectional cloud analysis, sampling cloud cover toward and opposite the sun, combined with upper-air humidity at 700hPa to predict cloud illumination behavior. Surface visibility, relative humidity, and wind conditions round out the forecast. Scores above 90% indicate exceptional atmospheric setups where all factors align for intense, photographable red skies. Photographers typically set thresholds of 85% or higher and combine this condition with solar elevation filters (typically -6° to +2°) to capture the peak color window. This derived field is indispensable for landscape and seascape photographers who plan trips around sunrise and sunset color potential.
Frequently asked questions
Common questionsWhat is Fiery Red Sky Potential?
Fiery Red Sky Potential predicts the likelihood and intensity of dramatic red and orange sky coloration during sunrise and sunset. This Pro-tier condition uses advanced atmospheric scattering physics, incorporating CAMS aerosol data including Aerosol Optical Depth, dust and smoke composition, and the Ångström exponent, plus GFS upper-air humidity measurements to model light scattering behavior. The algorithm evaluates cloud positioning in both solar and antisolar directions, surface visibility, and atmospheric moisture to forecast when conditions align for intense red sky photography.
How does Fiery Red Sky Potential affect photography?
Evaluates atmospheric conditions for intense red/orange sky coloration during sunrise and sunset. Uses CAMS aerosol data (optimal AOD 0.1-0.25 enhances scattering) and upper-air humidity for superior color prediction. Dust-dominated aerosols create warmer tones; smoke degrades colors. Combine with 'solar_elevation: [-6, 2]' for optimal timing.
What values are typical for Fiery Red Sky Potential?
Fiery Red Sky Potential typically ranges from 0.0% to 100.0%. PhotoWeather monitors these values to help you identify ideal conditions for your photography goals.
How is Fiery Red Sky Potential calculated?
Fiery Red Sky Potential is an advanced derived condition calculated from multiple weather parameters including Low Clouds, Mid-Level Clouds, High Clouds, Relative Humidity, Air Pressure. PhotoWeather's algorithms analyze these factors to provide a single, easy-to-understand score for this photography opportunity.
Typical values
Value rangeRelated fields
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Combines aurora activity with viewing conditions (darkness, cloud cover, visibility) to provide photography-ready aurora quality scores. Aurora activity is OVATION-aware from the compute step.
Blue Hour Quality
Evaluates atmospheric conditions for blue hour photography quality. Scores sky clarity, cloud type suitability (high thin clouds ideal), visibility, and calm conditions.
Fog Probability
Multi-factor fog formation likelihood combining visibility, dewpoint spread, humidity, and time-of-day analysis
Golden Hour Potential
Atmospheric suitability for golden hour photography across extended time window around golden hour periods
Golden Clouds Potential
Cloud formation suitability for golden hour photography across extended time window around golden hour periods
Cloud Drama Score
Analysis of cloud formations and atmospheric conditions for dramatic sky photography
Storm Intensity
Storm intensity analysis combining precipitation, wind conditions, atmospheric pressure, visibility, GFS simulated radar reflectivity, and wind shear for enhanced storm organization detection.
Frost Probability
Frost formation probability combining temperature, dewpoint spread, cloud cover, and wind analysis
Rainbow Probability
Probability of visible rainbow formation based on solar geometry and precipitation patterns
Coastal Drama Score
Analysis of coastal conditions combining wave dynamics, atmospheric conditions, and lighting for dramatic seascape photography. Evaluates wave height, swell patterns, spray potential, and atmospheric drama factors.
Atmospheric Clarity Score
Comprehensive atmospheric clarity analysis for landscape and astrophotography using CAMS aerosol optical depth, particle composition (dust, smoke, sea salt), particle size distribution (Ångström exponent), and visibility conditions.
Light Breakthrough Potential
Likelihood of sun breaking through clouds creating dramatic rays and dappled light patterns. Best with partial cloud cover (40-70%) and some sunshine reaching the surface.
Soft Light Index
Quality of diffused light for portrait and product photography. High scores indicate soft, even lighting that minimizes harsh shadows - the 'giant softbox' effect.
Cloud Texture Score
Rates how visually interesting the clouds are - distinguishing dramatic formations from boring flat overcast. High scores indicate structured clouds with good light transmission.
Overcast Flatness
How flat and boring the overcast is. HIGH scores indicate uniform gray sky with no breaks or texture - generally unfavorable for most photography. LOW scores indicate breaks, texture, or clearing.
Low Clouds
Cloud coverage below 2km altitude
Mid-Level Clouds
Cloud coverage between 2-6km altitude
Aerosol Optical Depth (550nm)
Total aerosol optical depth at 550nm. Lower values indicate clearer skies and more vivid colours.
Solar Elevation
Sun's angle above horizon (0° = horizon, 90° = zenith)
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