Birmingham, UK, witnessed a surreal spectacle when the night sky transformed into a vibrant pink haze during Storm Goretti, the first named storm of the year.

Residents from the city center to nearby Hednesford in Staffordshire captured the dazzling display on social media, initially mistaking it for auroras or an otherworldly event.

The phenomenon, far from cosmic, stemmed from earthly sources amplified by winter weather.

Birmingham witnessed rare phenomenon, pink haze all across the skies. (Photo: X/Birmingham City FC)

WHY THE SKY TURNED PINK

The pink glow arose from powerful pink LED floodlights at St. Andrew’s Stadium, home of Birmingham City Football Club (BCFC), reflecting off heavy falling snow and low clouds.

During an FA Cup match that evening, the stadium’s lights, likely grow lights or colored LEDs, illuminated the snowy atmosphere, scattering light upward. BBC meteorologist Simon King noted that snow and clouds acted like mirrors, bouncing the pink hues across the West Midlands skyline.

Snow scatters shorter blue wavelengths more effectively than longer red and pink ones, allowing warmer tones to dominate the reflected light, as explained by Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge.

Thick cloud cover trapped and intensified the artificial glow, creating a widespread neon effect visible for miles. This mirrors how city lights can paint snowy nights during inversions, but the stadium’s vivid pink LEDs made it exceptionally striking.

Storm Context and Impact

Storm Goretti brought amber snow warnings, school closures across the Midlands, and power outages affecting thousands.

The pink sky of Birmingham during a snowstorm. (Photo: X)

BCFC embraced the moment, tweeting “Pink sky at night, Blues delight” with a photo, turning a weather quirk into fan fervour. No auroral activity was reported; solar conditions remained quiet.

The event highlights urban light pollution’s interplay with weather, offering a magical reminder of science in everyday wonders. Social media buzzed with “Disney pink” comparisons, blending awe and explanation.

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Published By:

Sibu Kumar Tripathi

Published On:

Jan 10, 2026