What is causing the hazy skies over the UK?

Smoke from wildfires in Spain and Portugal, as well as a Saharan dust cloud, have drifted over the UK, creating the hazy skies.

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Saharan Dust Cloud Casts Hazy Spell Over UK Skies

Q: How will the hazy skies affect the weather in the UK?

The Met Office has predicted that the hazy conditions will lead to enhanced sunsets and sunrises in the coming days, with deeper reds and oranges due to the light-scattering effects.

Q: What other weather events are happening in the UK?

Thousands are expected to flock to beaches this weekend, with forecasts of temperatures reaching up to 29°C on Sunday. The Met Office has also issued yellow weather warnings for various regions of the country, and heat health alerts have been extended into next week for much of England.

16 Aug

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Summary

Smoke from wildfires in Spain and Portugal drifts over UK
Saharan dust cloud also contributes to hazy skies
Potential for enhanced sunsets and sunrises in coming days

Saharan Dust Cloud Casts Hazy Spell Over UK Skies

As of August 16th, 2025, the skies over Britain have taken on a hazy appearance, and the Met Office has revealed the reason behind this phenomenon. According to the national weather agency, the haze is primarily due to smoke from wildfires raging in Spain and Portugal, as well as a Saharan dust cloud that has drifted over the UK.

While the hazy skies may be an inconvenience for some, the Met Office has identified a potential silver lining. They have predicted that Brits can expect to witness "enhanced sunsets and sunrises in the coming days," with "deeper reds and oranges" due to the light-scattering effects of the atmospheric conditions.

The news comes as thousands are expected to flock to beaches this weekend, with forecasts of temperatures reaching up to 29°C on Sunday. The Met Office has also issued yellow weather warnings for various regions of the country, and heat health alerts have been extended into next week for much of England.

The hot weather has already resulted in a surge of vehicle breakdowns, with the RAC reporting a 10% increase in call-outs this week compared to the same period last week.

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