A huge Saharan dust cloud which originates from the Sahara desert in Africa is heading towards the UK and is expected to be “washed down” from the atmosphere by rain, forming a thin, red dust layer in parts of Britain.
Dust clouds were predicted in parts of the country on Sunday evening, with others expected to witness the red dust on their cars and roads from Monday, with some witnessing visible effects in the sky.
The phenomenon happens several times a year in the UK when big dust storms in the Sahara coincide with southerly wind patterns, according to the Met Office website.
What is a Saharan Dust Cloud?
Weather expert, Phil Morrish, spoke exclusively to Express.co.uk about the phenomenon: “A Saharan dust cloud originates from the Sahara desert. A few days ago, sand storms in the Sahara removed a lot of surface sand from the desert floor and propelled it high into the atmosphere.
“Sand particles are very light and can stay in the air. The sand particles gathered west of Africa, and were picked up by the southerly winds and were transported north to the UK.”
Can we see the effects of the Saharan Dust Cloud?
The dust will have two major effects, according to weather expert, Phil Morrish, who stated the rain in the UK will cause the dust to wash out. He said: “Firstly, it gives a lot of colourful sunrises and sunsets as the sun refracts through the dust.
“Secondly, it washed out in the rain. Today, we will see a band of rain over the north of England, and the dust will wash out onto cars and other surfaces, creating brown splodges, which will be dust from the Sahara desert.”
He added: “Later today, the Midlands and the south of England could see some dust deposits as the rain washes it out over these areas too. If you washed your car over the weekend, you may get disappointed to find it covered in very fine dust from the desert!”
People in the UK should look out for the sunset tonight “if the cloud clears”, as we could expect spectacular colours with with “reds, gold, crimson and oranges”.
Is the dust harmful and what can we expect over the next few days?
The Saharan dust cloud is “totally harmless” but “a bit of a nuisance”, according to Mr Morrish.
The occurrence is “fairly common” with winds from this direction, especially if there is a lot of dust from sand storms over Africa in the atmosphere. The wind is expected to stay in the same direction for the rest of the week, as high pressure over Europe keeps mild air “pumping up” from the West Africa region.
Dust brings spectacular red sunsets because particles in the atmosphere scatter blue light more than red, which is why the sky appears blue during the day.
When the sun is low in the sky, like at dawn and dusk, the light has farther to travel and so the blue light is scattered too much for us to see it, with the Saharan dust exacerbating this effect and turning the skies a deeper red.
After a murky start in Britain, with plenty of low cloud and mist and fog, the skies are expected to brighten up. Temperatures could top at 14C if the sunshine breaks through.
