Apocalyptic-looking skies, sunsets and sunrises pictured across the country have seen cars and windows caked in light dirt – which has travelled all the way from the Saharan desert.
The so-called blood rain is the result of a plume of dust moving from Africa into the Atlantic. It swept in yesterday (Monday, January 29) and is expected to continue today. Although it could create pretty sunrises and sunsets, it could also mean people need to use some elbow grease to clean the grime away.
Maps from the University of Athens show the huge dust cloud, billed as being “bigger than Mexico” sweeping across much of Britain – from the south coast to Scotland – on Monday and across the London area today.
Met Office forecaster, Marco Petagna, has now issued an alert in response to the plume.
He said: “Saharan dust is being drawn north to affect the UK in the coming days, following recent dust storms in North Africa.”
The forecaster added: “You might want to hold off washing the car just yet. And watch out for some colourful sunrise and sunsets.”
The Met Office said: “If the winds in the upper part of the atmosphere are blowing north, the dust can be carried as far as the UK.
“Once it is lifted from the ground by strong winds, clouds of dust can reach very high altitudes and be transported worldwide, covering thousands of miles.
“In order for the dust to get from up in the sky down to the ground, you need something to wash it out of the sky – rain. As raindrops fall, they collect particles of dust on the way down.
“Then when the raindrops land on something and eventually evaporate, they leave behind a layer of dust.”
When the freak weather condition has occurred in the past in the UK Express.co.uk spoke to Adam Pawson, head of digital at Safestyle who said that the strong gusts of wind could leave “properties covered in a blanket of red dust”.
Three ways to protect your home from blood rain include making sure every window is locked and sealed closed, avoid using duct tape to seal gaps around the windows and clear your garden and driveway of loose items.
As well as Saharan plumes the UK looks set for weather conditions originating from rather colder Polar air.
Weather expert Jim Dale confirmed that we could be plunged back into deep winter soon as “Polar air sweeps in.”
The plummeting temperatures are tipped to happen by the end of next week, with some areas set to see snow flurries by this Friday, February 2.
Has your car been covered in red Saharan dust? Or have you seen its residue on your windows? Please send your pictures to mieka.smiles@reachplc.com.
