Rare 'Pink Fog' Turns UK Skies Rose-Colored in December

A rare weather phenomenon left many Britons surprised after the sky turned a striking shade of pink during the early morning hours across parts of the UK, particularly in southeast England.

The unusual sight was caused by a phenomenon known as pink fog, which appeared alongside unseasonably warm December weather. 

Photos and videos quickly spread on social media, prompting some to question whether the images were edited; claims denied by those who captured them.

According to the UK Met Office, pink fog occurs when sunlight passes through dense layers of moisture and fine particles in the atmosphere, scattering blue light and allowing red wavelengths to dominate. 

Met Office spokesperson Graham Madge explained that it was essentially a filtered sunrise seen through fog and layered atmospheric conditions.

Meteorologists noted that the phenomenon depends heavily on local conditions, making it rare and short-lived. 

A similar event was last observed in early 2019. 

The pink skies have also renewed discussion about unusual winter warmth and the broader impact of climate change on weather patterns in Europe.