Mancunians baffled by 'strange' pink and purple evening sky

The sky above Greater Manchester took on a purple and pink hue on Thursday evening. Mancunians were baffled by the strange glow in the sky during sunset.

The unusual colour of the clouds was noticed across the region as well as in Lancashire and Cumbria. The strange tinge was noticed by a number of Manchester Evening News readers.

Writing on the M.E.N Facebook page Alison E Hardman said: "Sitting under it now, it's very weird", while Debbie Hardman wrote: "Very strange but beautiful"

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Another reader had an explanation. John Julie Yorke Davenport wrote: "This is partially due to "the optical illusion of the pink wavelengths lighting up the base of the cloud (due to the low angle of the sun's rays), and these pink clouds superimposed on a dark blue sky.

"The combination of pink and dark blue can make the sky appear a deep purple."

Readers in other parts of the country noticed the same issue, with Susan Morgan writing: "In Cumbria it’s got a pink tinge to it I love the purple"

It is the second time in a month the sky has taken on a colourful hue - with Mancunians also baffled by the purple sky on December 7.

Speaking to the M.E.N. at the time, a spokesperson said.: "The unusually pink or purple skies for some last night were down to quite a simple explanation. Particles in the air as part of an Atlantic air mass helped to create this purple hue for many after a weather front crossed over the UK.

"Coupled with a shelf of cloud to reflect the sun, as well as slower sunsets at this time of year, this means many people