Residents of the West Midlands were left baffled as an unusual pink light lit up the sky during rare snowfall, prompting social media speculation about sunsets or even a surprise appearance of the Northern Lights.
The striking pink hue was visible across Birmingham and even reached nearby Hednesford, Staffordshire. Many locals took to social media to share photos and wonder about the phenomenon.
Birmingham City Football Club later confirmed that the unusual glow was caused by LED lights on their stadium pitch. These lights, often used to aid grass growth, reflected off low clouds and snow, creating the unusual effect.
Expert explanation
BBC weather presenter Simon King explained the science behind the glow: “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.”
Similarly, Hednesford Town Football Club noted that LED pitch lights earlier in the week caused a similar pinkish glow. They humorously clarified that the lights were “helping the grass grow and recover, keeping us ready to chase three points, not the aurora.”
How snow and light interact
The Met Office added that snow or water droplets in the air scatter shorter blue wavelengths of light more easily, while longer wavelengths like red and orange pass through. This scattering effect can make lights appear pink or orange in the sky, especially when reflecting off clouds or snow.
