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Why did the sky turn bright pink in Birmingham?

bright pink sky over Birmingham emanating from Birmingham Football Club's stadiumGetty Images

If it's not the Northern Lights, what is it?

Storm Goretti has brought with it high winds, lots of snow - and in the West Midlands - bright pink skies.

People in and around Birmingham were baffled by how neon pink everything became as the storm hit.

a bright pink sky above some snow covered houses and a big fir treeLORD BROCKET/BBC WEATHER WATCHERS

This image was taken in snowy Hednesford, Staffordshire

Some wondered if they were catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights, but that wasn't the case - so what was it?

Well, it has a lot to do with weather, and it also has a bit to do with Birmingham Football Club.

More weird weather

St Andrews Stadium glowing bright pink Getty Images

St Andrews Stadium glowing bright pink

What made the sky pink in Birmingham?

BBC Weather's Simon King explained that falling snow and lots of clouds can make the sky very reflective.

And Birmingham City Football Club happened to be using some bright pink lights that evening.

St Andrews stadium at a different angle glowing bright pinkGetty Images

LED lights used to look after the grass were responsible for the phenomenon

Simon 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."

The lights the club were using were from LED lights helping the grass on the pitch grow.

a bright pink sky over a residential street in hullGareth Glover

It's not the first time this has happened - this picture was taken in Hull in December 2024

A similar phenomenon has been spotted in Hull a few times, including last week.

MKM Stadium, the home of Hull City, also use pink LED lights on their pitch, and so if the conditions are right, the North East also sees bright pink skies.