Color spec
| Brand | C2 Paint |
| Name | Approaching Storm |
| SKU | BD12 |
| Hex | #9CA9BA |
| RGB | 156, 169, 186 |
| HSL | 214°, 18%, 67% |
| LRV | 39 |
| Undertone | blue / cool |
| 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 at every US brand
13 brands · top 5 each5 closest matches per brand by ΔE2000, computed against each brand's full deck. Tap any swatch for its full single-color spec; tap the brand title to browse all gray from that brand.
Sherwin-Williams
Dutch Boy
PPG / Glidden
Behr
Diamond Vogel
Benjamin Moore
Kompozit
Valspar
Dunn-Edwards
Farrow & Ball
Clare
Backdrop
Magnolia Home
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Clare Equivalent of Approaching Storm
Clare doesn't make a true equivalent of Approaching Storm — the nearest deck color, Good Jeans (PNT100-LT-38), is clearly different (ΔE 6.7). For an exact match, any Clare retailer can custom-tint C2 Paint BD12 instead. See the full Good Jeans swatch →
Backdrop Equivalent of Approaching Storm
Backdrop doesn't make a true equivalent of Approaching Storm — the nearest deck color, Underdog (BD-UD), is clearly different (ΔE 6.78). For an exact match, any Backdrop retailer can custom-tint C2 Paint BD12 instead. See the full Underdog swatch →
Magnolia Home Equivalent of Approaching Storm
Magnolia Home doesn't make a true equivalent of Approaching Storm — the nearest deck color, Winter Solstice (JG-89), is clearly different (ΔE 6.87). For an exact match, any Magnolia Home retailer can custom-tint C2 Paint BD12 instead. See the full Winter Solstice swatch →
Farrow & Ball Equivalent of Approaching Storm
Farrow & Ball doesn't make a true equivalent of Approaching Storm — the nearest deck color, Dix Blue (NO. 82), is clearly different (ΔE 12.35). For an exact match, any Farrow & Ball retailer can custom-tint C2 Paint BD12 instead. See the full Dix Blue swatch →