A vast plume of Saharan dust is expected to create vibrant sunrises and sunsets across much of the UK this week, as fine sand from North Africa travels thousands of miles on warm southerly air currents. The Met Office has warned that the dust may also leave deposits on cars and outdoor surfaces when mixed with rain, a phenomenon known as blood rain.
The dust is forecast to coincide with what could be the warmest day of the year so far on Thursday, with temperatures potentially reaching 19°C in southern parts of the UK. More widely, temperatures of 16-17°C are expected, according to the Met Office. Last week, the warmest day was recorded at 18.7°C in Kew Gardens, west London.
Honor Criswick, a Met Office meteorologist, said that a band of cloud and rain on Thursday could be heavy at times, but there should be long sunny periods before the rain moves east. On Friday, much of England and Wales will be cloudier with highs of 11-12°C, while Northern Ireland and Scotland will see more sunshine. The weekend will bring a mix of patchy cloud and sunshine, with highs of 12-13°C on Saturday and 14°C on Sunday.
Saharan dust is relatively common in the UK when large dust storms in the Sahara align with southerly wind patterns. The Met Office noted that the dust can also affect air pollution levels. The current plume is expected to remain in the atmosphere over the next couple of days, offering striking visual displays but potentially leaving a dusty coating on cars and windows.
