RESIDENTS in the West Midlands were delighted by a dazzlingly pink night sky on Thursday evening.
The picturesque scene left people wondering what brought on the gorgeous display.
Theories circulated online suggesting the blushing clouds spotted in Birmingham were the result of an unusually rosy sunset or perhaps a surprise appearance of the famous northern lights.
But it turns out the fuchsia pink sky can be put down to light pollution emanating from Birmingham City’s football ground.
The club have confirmed they were using bright LED lights which they shine on to the grass in order to help the turf grow during the dark, cold winter period.
Hednesford Town Football Club posted on social media to address all the confusion.
The post read: “Seems the ‘northern lights’ over Hednesford were a bit closer to home than we all thought.
“That pink glow in the sky was in fact our LED pitch lights helping the grass grow and recover, keeping us ready to chase three points, not the aurora.”
Following Storm Goretti and the blizzards and heavy cloud cover its brought to the UK, a BBC meteorologist explained that the light was made more prominent by reflecting off the white snow.
He said: “Atmospheric conditions with low cloud and even during snow, can make the sky a little more reflective and show a glow of street lighting, buildings and even purple lights from football stadiums.”
Storm Goretti, which has brought the “worst snowfall in a decade” to the UK with 64,000 homes left without power, airports forced to shut and train services cancelled.
The storm also sparked travel chaos in the West Midlands where drivers were stuck in five miles of traffic.
Grahame Madge, Met Office spokesman, added: “The blue wavelengths of light are more easily scattered by snow or water droplets allowing the longer wavelengths – such as red and orange – to get through.
“This can have the effect of turning colours more pink or orange.”
