Watch out - it's raining desert dust

Weather forecasters have warned that dust showers from the Sahara could hit the south of England in the coming days.

Following several days of scorching sunshine which saw temperatures rise higher than those in Hawaii, parts of Britain were expecting clear skies to be replaced by dust-laden storm clouds.

Forecasters said the storms, which picked up dust as they crossed the Sahara desert, would bring an end to the summer’s second UK heatwave.

PA WeatherCentre spokesman Paul Knightley said: ‘‘Dust storms large enough to be seen on satellite images have been occurring in northern Africa, and this dust is heading north with the thundery weather.’’

‘‘Once over the UK, showers and storms can bring it down to the surface, leaving deposits on cars and other objects out of doors.’’

He said southern parts of England and Wales were particularly at risk of being lashed by heavy downpours and thunderstorms, caused by a low pressure system, and were more likely to see the Saharan dust.

‘‘If we get heavy storms straight away, the dust will quickly be washed away and no one will notice it,’’ Mr Knightley said.

‘‘However, if we get some light showers first, this could bring the dust down and deposit it on cars, but not wash it away. If this occurs, large spots of reddish dust will appear on windscreens and bodywork.