Birmingham residents were treated to a surreal sky show on Thursday evening as Storm Goretti swept across the West Midlands.

Snow falling in parts of the region turned the skies into vivid shades of pink creating a scene that many described as “mesmerising.”

The unusual hues were spotted across Birmingham city centre, Small Heath, and Bordesley Green.

Dramatic photos shared on social media captured the eye-catching spectacle leaving locals wondering what caused the striking colours.

According to the Met Office the effect is caused by light scattering.

“The blue wavelengths of light are more easily scattered by snow or water droplets, allowing the longer wavelengths – such as red and orange – to get through,” explained Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge.

“This can have the effect of turning colours more pink or orange.”

Local sports correspondent Dan Salisbury-Jones added that the pink glow was amplified by stadium lighting.

Birmingham City’s St Andrew’s Stadium uses LED pitch lights to help the grass recover faster between matches.

“The blue reason for the purple skies around Bordesley Green and Small Heath is the glow from the stadium’s heat lamps,” he said.

Even towns without professional clubs experienced similar effects. In Cannock, Hednesford Town’s ambitious pitch lighting reflected in the night sky creating pink hues reminiscent of the phenomenon over Birmingham.

Salisbury-Jones noted that the pitch system is the same specification as Everton’s £750 million new stadium designed to maintain top-quality grass.

From snowflakes to stadium lights, Storm Goretti turned the West Midlands sky into a rare and beautiful natural spectacle.