Western Bay of Plenty residents may have noticed some stunning sunsets lately, particularly with a pink tinge.

But what causes these beautiful sunsets?

According to scientists, the season can have an impact. In winter, the air along the path of a ray of sunlight tends to be dryer and cleaner, leading to brighter sunsets.

Since the Earth is spinning, most of our weather travels towards us from the west and leaves towards the east. But the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

A pink sky in the evening is caused by the light from the setting sun (to the west of us) bouncing off water droplets in the clouds traveling away to the east of us. Those clouds have already passed us, so hopefully the next day will be dry and sunny.

It's also confirmation that the old adage ‘Red sky at night, shepherd's delight; red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning' is a good indication of what's in store weather-wise for the following day.