Met Office explains the explanation so many Brits’ vehicles had been coated in mud

Sep 07, 2023 at 2:58 PM
Met Office explains the explanation so many Brits’ vehicles had been coated in mud

The Met Office has defined why so many vehicles in Britain had been coated in mud this morning.

Hundreds of drivers in Wales and Manchester woke as much as discover their vehicles coated in a skinny layer of mud.

After lots of of individuals posted concerning the mysterious discovering on social media, the Met Office defined it had been brought on by Saharan mud introduced down by rain.

They reassured the general public that the mud would transfer away early subsequent week.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon stated: “Saharan dust has been in the atmosphere around the UK in recent days.

“For Manchester, some of this has been rained out in early morning showers, which gives this ‘dirty’ look that some people will have noticed on their car this morning.

“The levels of Saharan dust will be lower in concentration over the coming days, before moving away early next week.”

Another Met Office spokesperson explained how the dust can travel from North Africa to the UK.

They told WalesOnline: “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.”

They added: “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.”

The Met Office statements got here after drivers from throughout the UK tweeted their bemusement on Thursday morning.

One individual wrote: “Was the rain last night dirty? My car and others look like they’ve been doused with coffee water this morning.”

Another individual stated: “Anyone else’s car absolutely filthy this morning or just mine? Did we have dirty rain or what?”

The Saharan mud arrives because the UK experiences a mini-heatwave. The Met Office has predicted Saturday may very well be the most well liked day of the 12 months.

Temperatures are anticipated to rise above 30C in London and the Southeast.

The Met Office has issued an amber warmth warning which is in place till 9pm on Sunday.