If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.
After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?
Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
Some cars across Britain were left coated in a thin film of dust
He said: "This has then risen to a height where the dust is transported quite quickly over Europe and the UK by high level winds. Rain then washes the dust out of the atmosphere, bringing it down in the raindrops. We then see the dust when the rain dries out – and it’s particularly noticeable on shiny surfaces, like cars.
"There is a chance we could see another similar event towards the end of this week, as strong winds are expected again in the Sahara region and the atmospheric circulation could bring some of that dust over Europe. However, there are lots of factors that could change this picture, so it’s too early to say for sure."
Britain is currently basking in balmy temperatures, with the first day of British Summer Time being heralded by the warmest temperatures of the year so far.
Temperatures in parts of the country exceeded 20 Celsius (68F) on Sunday.
St James's Park in London and Santon Downham in Norfolk were the hottest parts of Britain, reaching 20.9C (69.6F), according to forecasters MeteoGroup.
But the high temperatures are also likely to bring storms to western and central parts tonight, while fog and cloud will persist in areas around the north sea coast.
The weather front is being driven by hot air currently over the Low Countries.
Incredible dust storms from around the world
Red Wave' Dust Storm Hits Western Australia(01 of19)
(credit:Levi Cooper, Perth Weather Live)
Red Wave' Dust Storm Hits Western Australia(02 of19)
Onslow Dust Storm9th January 2013 (credit:Levi Cooper, Perth Weather Live)
(03 of19)
Cars navigate along the Marsha Sharp Freeway during a dust storm in Lubbock, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012. A dust storm in West Texas triggered a series of accidents Wednesday that killed one person, injured at least 17 others and led authorities to close part of Interstate 27 north of Lubbock, a spokesman with the Texas Department of Public Safety said. (AP Photo/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Zach Long) ALL LOCAL TV OUT (credit:AP)
Red Wave' Dust Storm Hits Western Australia(04 of19)
(credit:Josh Oniel, Perth Weather Live)
Red Wave' Dust Storm Hits Western Australia(05 of19)
(credit:Brett Martin, Perth Weather Live)
(06 of19)
Cars navigate along the Marsha Sharp Freeway during a dust storm in Lubbock, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012. A dust storm in West Texas triggered a series of accidents Wednesday that killed one person, injured at least 17 others and led authorities to close part of Interstate 27 north of Lubbock, a spokesman with the Texas Department of Public Safety said. (AP Photo/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Zach Long) ALL LOCAL TV OUT (credit:AP)
(07 of19)
Dust covers a residential area during a dust storm in Lubbock, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012. A dust storm in West Texas triggered a series of accidents Wednesday that killed one person, injured at least 17 others and led authorities to close part of Interstate 27 north of Lubbock, a spokesman with the Texas Department of Public Safety said. (AP Photo/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Zach Long) ALL LOCAL TV OUT (credit:AP)
(08 of19)
Cars navigate along the Marsha Sharp Freeway during a dust storm in Lubbock, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012. A dust storm in West Texas triggered a series of accidents Wednesday that killed one person, injured at least 17 others and led authorities to close part of Interstate 27 north of Lubbock, a spokesman with the Texas Department of Public Safety said. (AP Photo/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Zach Long) ALL LOCAL TV OUT (credit:AP)
(09 of19)
Cars navigate along University Avenue during a dust storm in Lubbock, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012. A dust storm in West Texas triggered a series of accidents Wednesday that killed one person, injured at least 17 others and led authorities to close part of Interstate 27 north of Lubbock, a spokesman with the Texas Department of Public Safety said. (AP Photo/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Zach Long) ALL LOCAL TV OUT (credit:AP)
(10 of19)
Dust covers a residential area during a dust storm in Lubbock, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012. A dust storm in West Texas triggered a series of accidents Wednesday that killed one person, injured at least 17 others and led authorities to close part of Interstate 27 north of Lubbock, a spokesman with the Texas Department of Public Safety said. (AP Photo/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Zach Long) ALL LOCAL TV OUT (credit:AP)
Red Wave' Dust Storm Hits Western Australia(11 of19)
Photos taken west of False Island (Mary Anne Passage) near Onslow in the Pilbara (credit:Brett Martin, Perth Weather Live)
Red Wave' Dust Storm Hits Western Australia(12 of19)
Onslow Dust Storm9th January 2013 (credit:Levi Cooper, Perth Weather Live)
Gobi Desert Dust Storm From Space - April 27, 2012(13 of19)
(NASA) (credit:(NASA))
Gobi Desert Dust Storm From Space - April 27, 2012(14 of19)
(NASA) (credit:(NASA))
Gobi Desert Dust Storm From Space - April 26, 2012(15 of19)
(NASA) (credit:(NASA))
Gobi Desert Dust Storm From Space - May 11, 2011(16 of19)
(NASA; Image from Terra satellite, over northeastern China) (credit:(NASA))
Gobi Desert Dust Storm From Space - May 13, 2011(17 of19)
(NASA; Image from Terra satellite, over Sea of Japan) (credit:(NASA))
Gobi Desert Dust Storm From Space - April 29, 2011(18 of19)
(NASA) (credit:(NASA))
Gobi Desert Dust Storm From Space - 1994(19 of19)
(NASA; Image taken from space shuttle Atlantis) (credit:(NASA))
Sahara Dust Comes To London
(01 of24)
'Dust rain' has been reported in areas around London leaving a fine red-colour dust on cars.The dust has actually travelled all the way from the Sahara Desert in North Africa. It's been transported by a south easterly breeze The Prime Ministers car covered outside No10. (credit:Rex)
(02 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
(03 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
(04 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
(05 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
(06 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
(07 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
(08 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
(09 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
Air Pollution Reaches High Levels Across London(10 of24)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: The Canary Wharf financial district is seen through smog from the soon to be opened Orbit Tower and the Olympic Park on April 2, 2014 in London, England. Dust from the Sahara combined with pollution from mainland Europe has contributed to one of the worst smogs of the year this week with record levels being recorded in parts of England on Tuesday. The BBC weather centre predicts a potential 8 or 9 out of 10 level of air pollution likely to be found in East Anglia and the East Midlands later today. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Air Pollution Reaches High Levels Across London(11 of24)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: The Canary Wharf financial district is seen through smog from the soon to be opened Orbit Tower and the Olympic Park on April 2, 2014 in London, England. Dust from the Sahara combined with pollution from mainland Europe has contributed to one of the worst smogs of the year this week with record levels being recorded in parts of England on Tuesday. The BBC weather centre predicts a potential 8 or 9 out of 10 level of air pollution likely to be found in East Anglia and the East Midlands later today. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Air Pollution Reaches High Levels Across London(12 of24)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: A general view of the 02 Arena through smog on April 2, 2014 in London, England. Dust from the Sahara combined with pollution from mainland Europe has contributed to one of the worst smogs of the year this week with record levels being recorded in parts of England on Tuesday. The BBC weather centre predicts a potential 8 or 9 out of 10 level of air pollution likely to be found in East Anglia and the East Midlands later today. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Air Pollution Reaches High Levels Across London(13 of24)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: A general view through smog over the 02 Arena and the Canary Wharf financial district on April 2, 2014 in London, England. Dust from the Sahara combined with pollution from mainland Europe has contributed to one of the worst smogs of the year this week with record levels being recorded in parts of England on Tuesday. The BBC weather centre predicts a potential 8 or 9 out of 10 level of air pollution likely to be found in East Anglia and the East Midlands later today. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Air Pollution Reaches High Levels Across London(14 of24)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: A general view through smog of the Canary Wharf financial district on April 2, 2014 in London, England. Dust from the Sahara combined with pollution from mainland Europe has contributed to one of the worst smogs of the year this week with record levels being recorded in parts of England on Tuesday. The BBC weather centre predicts a potential 8 or 9 out of 10 level of air pollution likely to be found in East Anglia and the East Midlands later today. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Air Pollution Reaches High Levels Across London(15 of24)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: A general view of the City of London through smog on April 2, 2014 in London, England. Dust from the Sahara combined with pollution from mainland Europe has contributed to one of the worst smogs of the year this week with record levels being recorded in parts of England on Tuesday. The BBC weather centre predicts a potential 8 or 9 out of 10 level of air pollution likely to be found in East Anglia and the East Midlands later today. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-WEATHER - POLLUTION(16 of24)
Air pollution hangs in the air lowering visibility towards the O2 arena in London, on April 2, 2014. Saharan dust mixed with pollution from Europe and the UK has blanketed a large area of the country, raising air pollution levels to dangerous levels. AFP PHOTO/Leon Neal (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-WEATHER - POLLUTION(17 of24)
Air pollution hangs in the air lowering visibility towards central London and the City from east London, on April 2, 2014. Saharan dust mixed with pollution from Europe and the UK has blanketed a large area of the country, raising air pollution levels to dangerous levels. AFP PHOTO/Leon Neal (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-WEATHER - POLLUTION(18 of24)
Air pollution hangs in the air lowering visibility in London, on April 2, 2014. Saharan dust mixed with pollution from Europe and the UK has blanketed a large area of the country, raising air pollution levels to dangerous levels. AFP PHOTO/Leon Neal (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-WEATHER - POLLUTION(19 of24)
Air pollution hangs in the air lowering visibility in London, on April 2, 2014. Saharan dust mixed with pollution from Europe and the UK has blanketed a large area of the country, raising air pollution levels to dangerous levels. AFP PHOTO/Leon Neal (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(20 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
(21 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
(22 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
(23 of24)
If you own a car you might have noticed a light film of dust on it in recent days.After pausing to carefully etch “I wish my wife was as dirty as this” on everyone else’s vehicle, perhaps you asked yourself where all this dust came from?Well, a Met Office spokesman tells HuffPost UK it’s a phenomenon known as “Sahara rain” - a deposit of dust and sand all the way from the deserts of North Africa.
(24 of24)