Saharan Dust Plume to Enhance UK Sunrises and Sunsets

A plume of Saharan dust is drifting northward across the United Kingdom, set to transform sunrises and sunsets into vibrant displays of gold, amber, and orange hues starting midweek. The fine particles, originating from North African deserts, are expected to reach much of the country by Wednesday, March 4, with the most striking effects visible on Thursday, March 5, and Friday, March 6, particularly in clear skies over England and Wales.

The dust consists of tiny sand and mineral particles lifted high into the atmosphere by strong winds. Carried thousands of miles on warm southerly air currents, the plume has been drawn toward Europe following recent weather patterns in the Iberian Peninsula. Storm Regina, which brought heavy rain and strong winds to Spain and Portugal over the past few days, shifted eastward into the western Mediterranean. This movement pulled in hot air from North Africa, suspending the dust aloft before it encounters a high-pressure system now delivering mild, sunny conditions across the UK.

As the particles scatter sunlight high in the atmosphere, they filter out shorter blue and violet wavelengths, allowing longer red and orange tones to dominate the sky....