CAST your eyes skywards and you may notice an unusual colour today.

It looks as if the world is being viewed through an Instagram filter. 

The reason? A plume of dust raised from the Sahara Desert is passing over the country, resulting in a sepia sky, reddish sun and reduced light levels.

Skies in other parts of the country have a more distinct orange and pinky tone but here, it is causing a darker and gloomier sky.

Met Office forecaster Grahame Madge said the former Hurricane Ophelia is pulling air and dust up from southern Europe and Africa.

He said: "It's all connected with Ophelia, on the eastern side of the low pressure system air is coming up in the southern direction.

"Air is being pulled from southern Europe and Africa and that air contains a lot of dust.

"So it's most likely the appearance of sunset at midday is caused by the particles scattering the light and giving the appearance of a red sun.

"It's certainly spectacular at the moment and quite a talking point, we've had a lot of calls about it."

There is a yellow weather warning for wind in place for Greater Manchester until 11.55pm. 

Community answers

Sky and sun photos

"Dust brought in by former Hurricane Ophelia is giving the sky a strange sepia hue and caused a red sun this morning. Send us your photos. "

We asked for your responses - this is what you sent.

From Emma Sleith

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The Bolton News:

From Lanete Morris

What is your response?Saw this red-orangey sun over Westhoughton early this afternoon. It looked weird so I took photo of it.

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The Bolton News: Saw this red-orangey sun over Westhoughton early this afternoon. It looked weird so I took photo of it.Saw this red-orangey sun over Westhoughton early this afternoon. It looked weird so I took photo of it.

From Community contributor

What is your response?The bright orange sun today over Nottinghamshire.

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The Bolton News: The bright orange sun today over Nottinghamshire.The bright orange sun today over Nottinghamshire.

From Joanne Rodmell

What is your response?Orange sun peeping through dark clouds. Moss Bank Way, Bolton.

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The Bolton News: Orange sun peeping through dark clouds. Moss Bank Way, Bolton.Orange sun peeping through dark clouds. Moss Bank Way, Bolton.

From Lisa Ford

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The Bolton News:

From Stacey Gibson

What is your response?The sun today.

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The Bolton News: The sun today.The sun today.

The Met Office says: "Very strong winds are forecast to affect most western and some central parts of the UK during Monday.

"These strong winds are forecast in association with the northward track of ex-Ophelia across or near to the west of the British Isles.

"Southerly winds are most likely to gust between 55 and 65 mph across much of the warning area, especially in the west."