David Knisely wrote:

Hi there. You posted:

You won't need a telescope. Martian weather is discernable by naked eye. Large
dust storms will change the planet's hue from the characteristic, metallic blood
red to pale beige.

You will if you want to actually see this particular cloud, although at
its height, it was reported visible in a 4 inch refractor, so it didn't
take much aperture. As for the color, Mars, at least to me, has never
been even close to "blood red" unless it is quite low towards the
horizon.

Red, like an xmas tree ball. At a distance of about 35,000,000
miles. Mars has always looked ever-so-slightly metallic to my eyes.

It looks more of a pale pinkish-orange ("pink salmon"). I
consider the Carbon stars like V Aquilae or TX Piscium to appear more
red to the eye than Mars currently is, although again, these stars are
more of a deep reddish-orange than "blood red".

Or Antares.

Recall the name's translation?

The color change of
Mars as a whole during a major planet-wide dust storm is slight, and
does not really get going until a planet-wide dust storm is near its
height. Clear skies to you.

2001's opposition was unusual. I had never seen Mars so washed-out
looking. Figured it was a dust storm. My guess was verified by news
headlines shortly thereafter.

Your own mind is your sharpest viewing instrument.