Saharan dust may settle on cars throughout Bolton

Saharan dust is a mixture of sand and dust from the Sahara, a vast desert area that covers most of North Africa, and the Met Office has predicted some of the huge dust cloud to hit the UK this weekend.

READ MORE: Bolton car specialist on  how to clean off Sahara dust without damaging it

A Met Office spokesperson said: "The amazing image captures a plume of Saharan dust moving out of Africa and into the Atlantic.

"Southerly winds will push some of the dust towards the UK later this weekend.

"Watch out for enhanced sunsets and sunrises, and perhaps some dust deposits on cars with any passing rain."

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.

The Met Office has shared a picture of a plume of Saharan dust, some of which will make its way towards the UK this weekend (Image: Met Office)

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.

According to the Met Office, 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. 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.

Saharan dust is relatively common in the UK, often happening several times a year when big dust storms in the Sahara coincide with southerly wind patterns. In certain weather situations, Saharan dust can also affect air pollution and pollution levels.

As for the weather in Greater Manchester, forecasters have predicted rain to hold off until Monday when heavy rain is expected to hit the county.