Residents of the capital were greeted by an extraordinary sight on Wednesday morning, as a peculiar pink fog settled over London's skyline, creating a scene described by some as akin to running through candyfloss.
The Science Behind the Spectacle
This rare optical phenomenon occurred at sunrise on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. According to the Met Office, the striking pink hue was the result of sunlight being filtered through dense layers of atmospheric moisture and dust.
Graham Madge, a spokesman for the Met Office, explained the process. "When the sunlight comes through lots of layers, it filters out the blue light and scatters it, leaving the red to come through," he said. "It's effectively a sunrise filtered through the atmosphere and through the fog, giving it that pinkish hue."
The blockage prevents colours with shorter wavelengths, like blues and greens, from penetrating the fog. Only the longer red wavelengths can pass through, bathing the city in a surreal, rosy glow. The remarkable colours were observed across London and the surrounding Home Counties.
Public Reaction and Social Media Buzz
The unusual weather event sparked a wave of excitement on social media, with Britons sharing their images and experiences of the pink fog.
Weather photographer Ruth Wadey posted on X, stating she had "Never seen coloured fog like this before - absolutely amazing!" Another Londoner on X compared the experience of a morning run to moving "through candy floss."
On TikTok, user @crazytailsuk shared a video clip of the luminous pink sky, insisting the footage had "no filter." The phenomenon was also noted outside the capital, with one social media user reporting, "It was soooo pink this morning in Hertfordshire."
Travel Disruption and Safety Warnings
Alongside the visual spectacle, the Met Office issued a formal fog weather warning for the region. The alert, in effect throughout Wednesday, indicated that visibility could drop below 100 metres, creating hazardous conditions.
The dense fog caused significant disruption to transport across London. The Met Office warned of the potential for cancelled flights and advised drivers to prepare for severely reduced visibility on the roads.
A spokesperson urged caution: "Make sure you know how to switch on your fog lights, and check they are working before setting off on your journey." Drivers were advised to leave extra time for travel or amend their plans if necessary.
This disruption comes at a particularly busy time, as travellers prepare to depart in the week before Christmas. Heathrow Airport has stated it is "fully prepared" for its busiest December on record, but the fog warning added a layer of complexity to the hectic holiday schedule.
