Britain set to be pelted by Saharan ‘blood rain’ as scientists give pressing warning
Britain faces a “blood rain” blitz as a Saharan dust cloud sweeps across the country, leaving cars caked in sand and skies glowing an eerie amber
The UK could experience a real-life horror film as ‘blood rain’ could hit the country(Image: PA)
Britain is bracing for a spine-tingling “blood rain” event as a massive plume of Saharan sand sweeps across the continent to batter the country.
Weather experts have issued a warning that the dramatic spectacle is set to materialise on Tuesday afternoon.
Scientists from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) say powerful winds are currently dragging thick dust particles from North Africa, through Western Europe, and straight into the British firing line.
The creepy phenomenon happens when low-pressure systems hoist desert sand into the atmosphere, carrying it thousands of miles before it hitches a ride on falling rain.
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While the “blood rain” moniker sounds like a horror flick, most Brits will simply find their cars caked in dusty residue and the sky glowing an eerie amber – though health bosses warn air quality could take a hit in hard-struck areas.
Mark Parrington, senior scientist at CAMS, told the Daily Mail: “Our latest forecast indicates that it will mostly pass over southern England and the Channel at higher altitudes in the atmosphere but may result in some wet deposition at ground level if it mixes with weather forecasts also showing some rain.”
The Met Office has also weighed in on the science behind the dusty blitz.
An entry on their website states: “As in other parts of the world, the wind can blow strongly over deserts – whipping up dust and sand high into the sky.
“If the winds in the upper part of the atmosphere are blowing north, the dust can be carried as far as the UK.
“Once it is lifted from the ground by strong winds, clouds of dust can reach very high altitudes and be transported worldwide, covering thousands of miles.
“In order for the dust to get from up in the sky down to the ground, you need something to wash it out of the sky – rain. As raindrops fall, they collect particles of dust on the way down.
“Then when the raindrops land on something and eventually evaporate, they leave behind a layer of dust.”
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