Strong winds in the Sahara Desert whipped up dust which has been blown over to the UK, according to the Met Office.
Dust from the Sahara Desert has settled in the UK after being blown over from north Africa.
Dust particles were swept high into the air by gales in the Sahara and then transported to the UK before being deposited on the ground during rain showers, according to the Met Office.
The deposits are particularly visible on cars and windows, the forecaster said.
Southern parts of the UK were worst hit, according to the Met Office.
Many motorists have posted on social media saying that their cars need cleaning after getting a coating of the red dust.
One Twitter user said: “Thanks Sahara Dust. Now I can wash the car again.”
Most of the dust was deposited on Tuesday, with many waking up on Wednesday to find red dust settled outside their homes.
Met Office forecaster Mark Wilson said: “Strong winds over the Sahara whip up dust.
“That goes into the sky and upper part of the atmosphere and heads towards the UK.
“Once we get some rain, that washes it out the sky and onto the ground.”
Changing weather systems mean that further deposits of the red dust are not likely, according to the Met Office.
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Skies over southern Greece turned an orange hue on Tuesday as dust clouds blown across the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa engulfed the Acropolis and other Athens landmarks.
Strong southerly winds carried the dust from the Sahara Desert, giving the atmosphere of the Greek capital a Martian-like filter in the last hours of daylight.
The skies are predicted to clear on Wednesday as winds shift and move the dust, with temperatures dipping. On Tuesday, the daily high in parts of the southern island of Crete topped 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit), more than 20 degrees C higher than what was registered in much of northern Greece.
The strong southerly winds over the past few days have also fanned unseasonal early wildfires in the country's south.
The fire service said Tuesday evening that a total 25 wildfires broke out across the country in the past 24 hours. Three people were arrested on the Aegean Sea resort island of Paros on suspicion of accidentally starting a scrub blaze on Monday, it added. No significant damage or injuries were reported, and the fire was quickly contained.
Another blaze that broke out on Crete near a naval base was brought under control Tuesday.
Greece suffers devastating, and often deadly, forest blazes every summer, and last year the country recorded the European Union's largest wildfire in more than two decades. Persistent drought combined with high spring temperatures has raised fears of a particularly challenging period for firefighters in the coming months.
A man wearing a mask walks at the Lycabettus hill as the city of Athens is seen at the background, on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The Acropolis and other Athens landmarks took on Martian hues Tuesday as stifling dust clouds blown across the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa engulfed the Greek capital. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
A Tourists seats on a bench at the Lycabettus hill as the city of Athens with the ancient Acropolis hill is seen at the background, on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The Acropolis and other Athens landmarks took on Martian hues Tuesday as stifling dust clouds blown across the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa engulfed the Greek capital. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The ancient Acropolis hill and the city of Athens as it seen from the Lycabettus hill on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The Acropolis and other Athens landmarks took on Martian hues Tuesday as stifling dust clouds blown across the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa engulfed the Greek capital.(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Tourists walk at the Lycabettus hill as the city of Athens with the ancient Acropolis hill is seen at the background, on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The Acropolis and other Athens landmarks took on Martian hues Tuesday as stifling dust clouds blown across the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa engulfed the Greek capital. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Tourists play with a cat at Lycabettus hill as the city of Athens with the ancient Acropolis hill is seen at the background, on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The Acropolis and other Athens landmarks took on Martian hues Tuesday as stifling dust clouds blown across the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa engulfed the Greek capital. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
