Red sky in the morning . . .

Most of us have heard the saying, “Red sky in the morning, a sailors warning. Red sky at night, a sailors delight.” I suppose it applies to pilots as well and sure seems to pan out.
BUT, I am not sure why.

Anyone have a technical explanation to this tried and true old wives tale?

Dennis,

Here’s an explanation from http://www.doc.mmu.ac.uk/aric/eae/Weather/Older/Forecasting.htmlthis site:

When the morning Sun illuminates clouds to the west, this may be an indication of an approaching front and depression. In the evening, the setting Sun in the west will illuminate clouds to the east that may have already passed by.

Cheers,
Roger