Color spec
| Brand | C2 Paint |
| Name | Approaching Storm |
| SKU | BD12 |
| Hex | #9CA9BA |
| RGB | 156, 169, 186 |
| HSL | 214°, 18%, 67% |
| LRV | 39 |
| Undertone | cool blue tone |
| Family | Gray |
About C2 Paint Approaching Storm
Approaching Storm sits in the mid-range at LRV 39, so it shifts visibly through the day — lighter and more open in morning light, deeper and moodier after dark. Its blue undertone is the part to watch: it gets picked up by whatever sits next to it, so test it against your trim, floor and the room's main light before committing. South-facing rooms will pull it lighter and warmer, while north light cools it down.
Approaching Storm is versatile enough for full rooms but has enough depth to anchor a space, so it suits living rooms, bedrooms and cabinetry alike. Grays like this read as a modern neutral and sit comfortably alongside both warm woods and cool metals.
Closest matches by brand
14 brands within ΔE 5The closest matches per brand by ΔE2000, computed against each brand's full deck. Only colors within ΔE 5 (close enough to substitute on a wall) are shown — brands with no real match are left off. Tap any swatch for its full single-color spec; tap the brand title to browse all gray from that brand.
Sherwin-Williams
Behr
Benjamin Moore
Valspar
PPG / Glidden
Glidden
Dutch Boy
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams
Dunn-Edwards
Farrow & Ball
Diamond Vogel
Hirshfield's
Rodda
Kompozit
Similar C2 Paint colors
closest in the C2 Paint deckThe nearest shades to Approaching Storm within C2 Paint's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.
Coordinated palette
Generated by hue-rotating #9CA9BA in HSL space. Pair Approaching Storm with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
Accessibility (WCAG contrast)
WCAG 2.1: AA = 4.5:1 normal text · AA Large = 3:1 large text · AAA = 7:1 normal text.
C2 Paint Approaching Storm Equivalents at Other Brands
Matching Approaching Storm from a different paint counter? Below is the single closest color in each major US deck and how close it really is. Remember that any paint store can also custom-tint C2 Paint BD12 directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.
Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Approaching Storm
The closest Sherwin-Williams equivalent of Approaching Storm is Solitude (SW 6535). At ΔE 0.77 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same cool blue undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 39). If Sherwin-Williams is your counter, order Solitude and you'll get the same color. See the full Solitude swatch →
Behr Equivalent of Approaching Storm
Behr's nearest match is Ashberry (N550-4), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.75). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 39) and carries a cool blue undertone, so it substitutes for Approaching Storm without repainting risk. See the full Ashberry swatch →
Benjamin Moore Equivalent of Approaching Storm
At Benjamin Moore, the closest color to Approaching Storm is Yukon Sky (1439) — very close at ΔE 3.07, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 39) and carries a cool blue undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Yukon Sky swatch →
Valspar Equivalent of Approaching Storm
At Valspar, the closest color to Approaching Storm is Wave Goodbye (V137-4) — very close at ΔE 2.8, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly darker (LRV 37.4 vs 39) and carries a cool blue undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Wave Goodbye swatch →
PPG / Glidden Equivalent of Approaching Storm
The closest PPG / Glidden equivalent of Approaching Storm is Inevitable (PPG10-24). At ΔE 0.96 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same cool blue undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 39). If PPG / Glidden is your counter, order Inevitable and you'll get the same color. See the full Inevitable swatch →
Glidden Equivalent of Approaching Storm
The closest Glidden equivalent of Approaching Storm is Inevitable (PPG10-24). At ΔE 0.96 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same cool blue undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 39 vs 39). If Glidden is your counter, order Inevitable and you'll get the same color. See the full Inevitable swatch →
Dutch Boy Equivalent of Approaching Storm
The closest Dutch Boy equivalent of Approaching Storm is Namaste (340-4DB). At ΔE 0.77 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same cool blue undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 39). If Dutch Boy is your counter, order Namaste and you'll get the same color. See the full Namaste swatch →
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Approaching Storm
The closest HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams equivalent of Approaching Storm is Blue Slumber (HGSW 2395). At ΔE 0.77 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same cool blue undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 39). If HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams is your counter, order Blue Slumber and you'll get the same color. See the full Blue Slumber swatch →
Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Approaching Storm
Dunn-Edwards has no exact twin of Approaching Storm. The nearest is Irogon Blue (DEC796) at ΔE 4.28 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It runs slightly darker (LRV 37 vs 39). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Irogon Blue swatch →
Farrow & Ball Equivalent of Approaching Storm
Farrow & Ball has no exact twin of Approaching Storm. The nearest is Kittiwake (NO. 307) at ΔE 3.63 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 40 vs 39). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Kittiwake swatch →
Diamond Vogel Equivalent of Approaching Storm
Diamond Vogel has no exact twin of Approaching Storm. The nearest is Baby Seal (0519) at ΔE 4.52 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 38 vs 39). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Baby Seal swatch →
Hirshfield's Equivalent of Approaching Storm
Hirshfield's has no exact twin of Approaching Storm. The nearest is Chicago Skyline (0631) at ΔE 4.95 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It runs slightly lighter (LRV 42 vs 39). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Chicago Skyline swatch →
Rodda Equivalent of Approaching Storm
Rodda has no exact twin of Approaching Storm. The nearest is Sheer Clouds (R087) at ΔE 3.75 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It runs slightly lighter (LRV 42 vs 39). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Sheer Clouds swatch →
Kompozit Equivalent of Approaching Storm
Kompozit has no exact twin of Approaching Storm. The nearest is Chicago Skyline (0631) at ΔE 4.95 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 40 vs 39). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Chicago Skyline swatch →