You are at: Home » News » Hurricane and forest fires create red sun over Warrington

Hurricane and forest fires create red sun over Warrington

1
By on  News

A reddish sky and red-looking sun which appeared over much of the country, including Warrington was caused by Hurricane Ophelia and forest fires in Iberia.

The phenomenon has been reported in the South West, the Midlands, North East and North West, including Warrington,  sparking much debate on social media.

BBC weather presenter Simon King has explained it was due to the remnants of Hurricane Ophelia dragging in tropical air and dust from the Sahara. Debris from forest fires in Portugal and Spain was also playing a part.

He said: “Ophelia originated in the Azores where it was a hurricane and as it tracked its way northwards it dragged in tropical air from the Sahara.”

This resulted in dust from the Sahara being brought back with it.

He added: “The dust gets picked up into the air and goes high up into the atmosphere, and that dust has been dragged high up in the atmosphere above the UK.”

The Met Office says the “vast majority” of the dust was as a result of forest fires in Iberia, which have sent debris into the air and that has been dragged north by Ophelia.

The red sun over the Mersey in Warrington


1 Comments
Share.

About Author

Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.

Related Posts

1 Comment

  1. Dizzy on

    It was very surreal. Earlier on in the day to me it looked like the moon was still out as it was full and very white…then it all went an orange/red with a glow. It was fab.
    I feel sorry for all the people who though it was a sign that the ‘end was nigh’ though ha ha

    Reply

Leave A Comment