The Met Office is warning a Saharan dust cloud is set to blanket Britain in a matter of hours. The incoming plume could see cars covered in a red hue in a weather event typically seen in summer.
Announcing the movements of this dust cloud, which Zoom Earth has said is the “size of Mexico”, the forecaster shared a satellite image of it tracking across the Atlantic on Friday.
It said the cloud of dust had moved out from Africa and into the Atlantic stream. Its post on X said: “This amazing image captures a plume of Saharan dust moving out of Africa and into the Atlantic.
“Some of this dust will make its way towards us over the coming days. Southerly winds will push some of the dust towards the UK later this weekend.”
Meteorologists added the dust could come in transit with any passing rain showers, much to the disappointment of people who had used the brief dry weather on Saturday to clean their cars and patios.
But meteorologist Jim Dale, from British Weather Services, said it was the unusually high European temperatures which had forced this summer-type event to arrive in January.
The map image, from the Programme of the European Union, said the dust cloud was picked up from one of the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellites.
It said: “It illustrates the dust particles being carried by the wind from the Saharan desert, and across the Canary Islands and Cabo Verde. “The sand is expected to reduce visibility and affect.”
The emergence of the dust is also expected to affect air quality in the affected areas. But it will also contribute to the fertilisation of the ocean and boost the growth of phytoplankton, it added.
In Spain, yellow weather warnings have been activated since Thursday, with visibility above 3,000 metres set to be reduced in more areas over this weekend. Southern islands such as Tenerife and Gran Canaria have already been hit.
These plumes have previously been reported as sparking breathing issues for those who suffer with respiratory conditions, such as asthma.
Mr Dale told Express.co.uk: “Maybe from tomorrow we’ll see it in sunsets and sunrises, and onwards for a few days. It is unusual in winter, normally a summer event but January maximum heat records are falling like ninepins in Spain, so it comes as no surprise. It’s a sign of the times.”
According to Mr Dale the plume is being carried in the upper air by southerly winds, so it will be “ongoing” until the airmass changes in around a week’s time.
“Expect sand and dust falls in the rain that arrives”, he added. Along with dusty cars, it will bring colourful sunrises and sunsets, meteorologists say.
