The sun shone a brilliant shade of red in parts of the UK today as the country prepared to be battered by the remnants of a tropical hurricane.
People across England spotted the incredible sight this morning, which the Met Office said was being caused by Storm Ophelia.
Ireland and Northern Ireland have been feeling the full force of the ex-hurricane, with thousands left without power, schools closed and led to the army being deployed in communities.
The Met Office said the red sun is the result of Saharan dust being blown north by Ophelia.
#Ophelia has drawn Saharan dust north to the UK, making the sun appear red this morning. Photo credit: Kelly Norris https://t.co/2qMvYSQjLQ pic.twitter.com/7dioN4vj61
— Met Office (@metoffice) October 16, 2017
Deadly wildfires in Portugal are also said to have played a part in the phenomenon.
Red skies normally appear when dust and small particles are trapped in the atmosphere by high pressure.
Scotland is predicted to be hit by the storm next with winds of as high as 80mph predicted.
Today's strange lighting has been caused by Portuguese forest fire and Sahara particles being blown here by Ophelia, says the Met Office. pic.twitter.com/HEyVw6ADSJ
— BBC Radio Manchester (@BBCRadioManc) October 16, 2017
Amber and yellow warnings are in place across the country, as are Sepa flood alerts for southern and western parts of the country. Flights have also been cancelled from Scottish airports.
