People across France have been taking to social media to share stunning sunrise and sunset photos as the recent wet winter weather sparks exceptional red horizons in the mornings and evenings.
But what is the reason for these fiery red scenes?
Red skies happen due to the way sunlight goes through earth's atmosphere: When the sun is low in the sky, sunlight must pass through more of the atmosphere than when it is overhead.
Red skies this winterFacebook | Jan 29, 2025
The atmosphere splits the light like a prism - blocking shorter wavelengths, which are blue in colour.
However, longer wavelength red light still gets through, creating beautiful horizons at sunrise and sunset.
English speakers will be familiar with the phrase: Red sky at night, shepherd’s delight. Red sky in morning, shepherd’s warning.
In France, a similar saying is: Ciel rouge le matin, pluie en chemin (Red sky in the morning, rain is coming).
These expressions often prove true. This magnificent weather phenomenon is particularly common in winter as the sun is lower on the horizon and there is increased humidity in the air.
“The more moisture that the light encounters in its path, the more it diffuses and its short-wave colours disappear”, a Météo France forecaster told France 3.
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Take a look at the stunning sky snaps posted by social media users across France.
