Saharan Dust Set To Hit UK Again This Week

The taste of Easter chocolate might be accompanied with the feeling of sand in the air this week as Saharan dust is expected to return to the UK.

It's only been a few weeks since the skies last turned dusty and orange as a result of sand and dust flying in from the Sahara, but forecasters have advised against a fresh car wash as the grainy substance is likely to fall again.

The dust will, at least, be accompanied by some warmer weather for the Easter bank holiday this weekend (15-18 April) as well as some nice sunrises and sunsets to accompany the increasingly long days.

Phil Garner, from the East Anglian-based weather forecaster Weatherquest, suggested a number of residents may start to see dust settle today (12 April), according to the East Anglian Daily Times.

He commented yesterday: "There is the risk of one or two showers in the morning and again in the afternoon. Much of the UK is at risk of seeing some dust deposited.

"There is a broad area of showery rain moving across the whole of Britain from the south tomorrow so much of Britain is at risk of seeing Saharan dust at times.

"The dust obviously starts off in the Saharan, where there has been some quite windy conditions recently, and the dust gets picked up from the surface and gets transported in the wind.

"As the air gets warm the dust rises with the air and then as the warm air comes north and showers start developing the rain which falls pick up the specs of dirt."

Good Morning Britain forecaster Laura Tobin reiterated the news of the dust, telling viewers this week that while temperatures are set to be 'way above average' for the time of year, people should be on the lookout for 'more Saharan dust on the way'.

"That means there will be some beautiful sunsets and sunrises through the next few days, but we'll see some of that Saharan sand on the cars moving through south-eastern areas of England," she said.

The Met Office has explained Saharan dust travels to the UK after wind blows strongly over deserts and whips up dust and sand into the sky.

"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," the agency says.

The dust is then washed from the sky in rain, which leaves behind a layer of dust when it evaporates.