Before Typhoon Usagi made landfall, the sky in the Philippines exhibited an unusual dark red or brilliant pink hue, as if it had been painted. The wind was calm, and the atmosphere was eerily quiet before the storm. What phenomenon is this, and how can it be explained?
Typhoon Usagi (known as Typhoon Ofel in the Philippines) reached its peak intensity on the morning of November 14, with sustained winds of 185 km/h (Category 5) and gusts of 230 – 240 km/h (above Category 5), according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
By midday, its intensity diminished slightly, with winds dropping to 175 km/h (Category 4) before it made landfall in Baggao, Cagayan Province at 1:30 AM local time (12:30 PM November 14, Vietnam time). This marked the fifth storm to affect the Philippines within a span of three weeks.
Prior to the storm’s arrival, authorities hurriedly evacuated thousands of residents from coastal areas, with mandatory evacuations in many locations.
The Philippine Coast Guard assists in evacuating residents in Cagayan Province on the morning of November 14, ahead of Typhoon Usagi’s landfall. (Photo: Philippine Coast Guard/AFP).
While there weren’t many images captured at the moment of landfall (due to severe weather conditions during powerful storms, capturing images can often be impossible), some people in the Philippines shared photos of the “calm before the storm.”
In Ocampo, Camarines Sur Province, the sky at dawn (around 5:30 AM on November 14) displayed an unusual pink color. Meanwhile, in Albay Province, the sky appeared a striking red, evoking a sense of foreboding.
The striking red sky over Mayon Volcano (Albay Province, Philippines) on the morning of November 14. (Photo: Nino Adonis Rebeta).
According to the Philippine Weather System and the Weather section of Click Orlando, some experts explained that this “red sky” phenomenon indicates the presence of dust and moisture in the air. Simply put, we see a red sky because red light has a longer wavelength. At dawn and dusk, when the sun is low, these longer wavelengths can travel farther, passing through dust, smoke, and tiny water droplets, while shorter wavelengths, such as blue, are scattered.
The “red sky” phenomenon (sometimes appearing pink) often signals impending rain or extreme weather conditions (when the air is humid). This is also why it is commonly said in our region that “a red sky means rain.”
The pink sky in Ocampo (Camarines Sur Province, Philippines) on the morning of November 14. (Photo: Emm Suarez).
Moreover, because the typhoon draws in warm, moist air, the atmosphere outside the storm can be quite dry, with calm winds. Animals often sense this change and seek shelter, reducing their activity and noise, contributing to the overall stillness of the environment.
