Sahara Dust Brings Golden Sunrises to UK

0:00On March 4th, get ready for a treat in the skies over the United Kingdom later this week. A big cloud of fine dust from the Sahara Desert in North Africa is heading north on warm winds. It will turn everyday sunrises and sunsets into glowing shows of gold and orange hues across much of the country. This dust kicked up after Storm Regina hit Spain in Portugal with heavy rain and fierce winds earlier in the week. As the storm moved east, it pulled in those southerly air currents carrying the particles thousands of miles. Now, high pressure is steering it straight toward the UK with clear, mild weather. The downside comes if rain mixes in, creating what people call blood rain. It leaves a reddish brown grit on cars, windows and outdoor stuff. No worries though, it's totally harmless with no health risks, just a cosmetic mess that might need a quick rinse. Expect the most vivid colors on Thursday and into Friday, especially with clear skies at dawn and dusk. England and Wales should see the strongest effects from higher dust levels and those west winds bringing cooler air.

1:04These events happen a few times a year, often in late winter or spring, reminding us how weather connects distant places. Keep an eye on those horizons for a bit of natural magic.