How a football pitch turned Birmingham’s snowy sky pink

As rare snowfall blanketed much of the West Midlands on Thursday evening, residents were struck by an unexpected sight: a mysterious pink glow lighting up the sky.

There was much speculation on social media as to whether the phenomenon was an unusually vivid sunset. Or was it the Northern Lights making a surprise appearance?

The truth was far more down-to-earth.

Skies across the city turned a dazzling shade of pink with other images also shared from Hednesford in Staffordshire.

BBC weather presenter Simon King said cloud cover and falling snow meant the sky could be more reflective, and Birmingham City’s St Andrew’s stadium was shown as the source of light.