Photo taken by BBC Weather Watcher Pia in Perth and Kinross
Did you notice this morning's striking sunrise?
One explanation for Friday's vivid display of colours is that we have seen a series of low pressure systems that have been moving in from the Atlantic this week.
An array of colours during sunrise in Northumberland, as seen by BBC Weather Watcher Spottdotty
These Atlantic lows cause rapidly rising air over the sea, which can lead to more salt molecules in the atmosphere. Salt molecules are quite large and scatter the light prolifically, which can lead to more vibrant pink and purple colours during sunrise and sunset.
The exact colours of a sunrise are dependent on factors such as dust, pollution, water droplets and cloud formations, and occasionally they can appear more purple and pink rather than the more common burnt orange and reds.
BBC Weather Watcher Tarquin Shaw-Young caught the beginning of this burnt orange sunrise over Rotherham
Due to the low angle of the Sun's rays, this can appear an optical illusion, as the pink wavelengths light up the base of the cloud.
Sun rays light up the base of these clouds in Berwick-upon-Tweed making them appear pink and purple. Photo by BBC Weather Watcher Lizzye
With these pink clouds superimposed on a dark blue sky, the combination of pink and dark blue can make the sky appear a deep purple.
Vibrant purple colours during sunrise over the coast at Scarborough, North Yorkshire, as seen by BBC Weather Watcher Granny Rose
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- Published25 January 2024
- Published9 January 2024
