Birmingham sky turns 'Cyberpunk Pink' as Storm Goretti strikes

Birmingham and the wider West Midlands were treated to an extraordinary sight yesterday (9 January) as the night sky shimmered with an intense pink glow that many likened to scenes from a sci-fi film.

Residents were left awestruck when thick cloud cover and heavy snow brought by Storm Goretti turned the sky a vivid neon pink, reports BBC.

However, meteorologists quickly solved the mystery behind the unusual display, confirming that bright LED lights from Birmingham City Football Club's St Andrew's stadium were the principal source of the glow.

The powerful pink lights, typically used to help maintain and grow the pitch in winter conditions, were reflected and amplified by the low cloud and falling snow, creating what some have dubbed the world's first "cyberpunk sky".

BBC Weather Presenter Simon King explained that the unique atmospheric conditions acted like a reflective canvas, scattering light from street lamps, buildings and stadium lights across the sky. As a result, the usual white or orange hues associated with urban lighting took on a dramatic pink tone.

The striking spectacle sparked widespread speculation on social media, with some users wondering if the Northern Lights had unexpectedly appeared over central England. However, experts quickly dismissed such claims, noting that the artificial lighting combined with snow and cloud was the far more likely explanation.

While the pink sky provided a surreal backdrop to the winter weather, authorities also issued multiple storm and flood warnings as conditions continued to affect travel and safety across the region.