London was hit by a health alert Wednesday, as a dirty cocktail of dust, car fumes and pollutants swept across the city.
The deluge of the so-called 'Sahara Rain' means people should be braced for "very high" levels of air pollution over the next few days, experts have warned.
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The fine dust, swept from 2,000 miles away, is causing air pollution that can trigger hayfever-like symptoms and cause respiratory problems to flare up.
The dirtiest air was expected to slip to the east of London affecting East Anglia and the East Midlands.
The pollution is expected to start clearing later this week when winds change direction and bring in fresher air from the Atlantic, but for now, here are some pictures of London looking especially grubby:
Air Pollution London
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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.
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