Saharan sunset: Church Street yesterday, with the Minster in the distance, when the skies were reddened by particles of sand from north Africa, turning the Sun bright orange
Croydon and the rest of London were treated to a special golden light show at sunset yesterday, caused by an unusual combination of meteorological factors, including sand particles blown thousands of miles from the Sahara Desert.
The spectacular sight included a bright orange sun in the west, shortly before 6pm.
According to the wonks at the Met Office, there’s a plume of Saharan dust drifting across Britain, and the phenomenon could be with us for a couple of days yet.
The sand particles are so fine that they can stay suspended in the air for days.
With forecasts for today and tomorrow predicting dry weather and clear skies, there could be more Saharan sunsets to come, even into the weekend. “Light winds and minimal rainfall mean the Saharan dust will remain aloft, enhancing the vivid sunsets and sunrises,” according to reports.
It could mean that car and van owners might need to clean their vehicles, and windscreens, as the sand slowly falls to Earth.
Strong winds in northern Africa lifted sand and dust high into the atmosphere, where it has been carried at high speed thousands of miles towards Europe.
When these particles mix with moisture in the air and the light of the setting sun, they scatter sunlight in a way that turns the sky a deep red or burnt orange. The phenomenon is rare in southern England, but occurs under the right conditions, particularly in late winter and early spring when winds from north Africa are strongest.
As Storm Regina’s torrential rain and high winds hit Spain over the past few days, tracking east across the Mediterranean, it drew warm air from Africa, sending Saharan dust high into the atmosphere.
The high pressure system over much of Britain, providing the mild and sunny conditions, is the perfect combination to provide the Saharan red sunsets.
According to reports, “The brightest colours are expected on Thursday and Friday, especially during clear sunrises and sunsets.”
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