Why is hail core green?

[Scott Nelson]

Silly question I'm sure to some but I've been wondering why some severe storm cores present themself as green? My guess has been light is bending as it passes through the unique shape (shapes) of hail particles both rising and falling. Yet I've never seen anything written about this. And if my theory is right, think the light would actually change to the other colors in the prism and the storm color would then also change. Have always simply taken green storms for granted but now left wondering. Thanks!

 

[Mike Smith]

Scott,

This is how it has been explained to me...

The ten miles of ice and water above you bends the light into the green part of the color spectrum. This is similar to why ocean water often appears green or blue.

Mike

 

[Wes Carter]

Here is some more reading on the subject:
http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?t=22335&highlight=greenage
http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?t=7341&highlight=greenage

 

[Greg Stumpf]

This should help: http://journals.ametsoc.org/action/doSearch?all=thunderstorms+green&filter=all&x=0&y=0

Also, regarding green/blue sea water, pale blue is the actual color of pure water. With deeper water, and a brighter (e.g., white sand) bottom, it will really stand out.

 

[cdcollura]

Good day all,

I beleive this is called Raleigh scattering ... Where light passing through a substance / suspension at an angle creates a certain color as white light (sunlight) contains ALL the colors mixed.

Above: Green tint to hail core in a storm in W Kansas in May 2010. The view is to the south.