Dazzling pink sky seen over Birmingham in Storm Goretti snowfall

As rare snowfall blanketed much of the West Midlands on Thursday evening, residents were treated to an unexpected sight: a mysterious pink glow illuminating the sky.

There was a lot of speculation on social media about whether this event was an unusually vivid sunset. Or was it the Northern Lights that made a surprise appearance?

The truth was much more realistic.

The club confirmed that the source of the display was simple LED lights used on Birmingham City’s football ground pitch at St Andrew’s.

Skies across the city turned a dazzling shade of pink, with other images also shared from Hednesford in Staffordshire.

BBC weather presenter Simon King said cloud cover and falling snow meant the sky could be more reflective, with Birmingham City’s football ground St Andrew’s featured as the light source.

Hednesford Town Football Club announced on social media earlier in the week that a similar phenomenon was due to LED pitch lights “helping the grass grow and recover, keeping us ready to chase the three points, not the aurora.”

“Atmospheric conditions with few clouds or even snow can make the sky slightly more reflective and show the glow of street lights, buildings and even purple lights from football stadiums,” the meteorologist added.