Mancunians were left pondering as a mysterious purple glow emerged in the sky last night. Residents posted on social media about seeing an unusual light above the streets, and shared images with the Manchester Evening News from around Greater Manchester.
The strange colour was spotted in the Boothstown, Worsley and Walkden areas of Salford, as well as above Prestwich, Whitefield and Heywood. It made for some stunning images, with the phenomenon giving a dramatic backdrop to Thursday evening (December 7) for many.
There was confusion as people speculated about the cause of the unusual glow, which was reported at various times between 7pm and 10pm. Some suggested it could have been reflections from the current festive light shows at RHS Bridgewater and Heaton Park.
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Others questioned if it was the famed Northern Lights making an unlikely appearance. But a phenomenon seen in Wales earlier yesterday could point towards a far less exciting explanation.
Earlier in the evening, a pink sky had been seen above parts of south Wales during sunset, including in Cardiff. Dan Stroud, Met Office forecaster and meteorologist, told WalesOnline how the colour was caused by more humid conditions than usual.
“In humid conditions the water vapor in the air adheres to the particles in the air,” he said. “The additional water bulks up the particle and essentially blocks light to pass through.”
Humidity increased to more than 90% in our area yesterday according to the Met Office, hitting 94% at around 5pm and 95% at midnight. The Met Office has been approached for comment.
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
