Smog to hit south London - dust from the Sahara desert covers cars in dirt

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Sutton Guardian

Smog to hit south London – dust from the Sahara desert covers cars in dirt

One of the worst smogs of the year is set to hit south London this week.

The Met Office has forecast the highest level of air pollution in the capital and southern England on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Today’s level in Croydon is 8 out of 10 and could reach 10 out of 10 this week, forecasters warned.

Dust from a Saharan storm, which was brought up to southern England from North Africa, covered cars with dirt last night.

Car owners woke up to find their vehicles covered in a thin layer of dust after showers during Sunday night.

Those with respiratory problems and adults with heart problems are being advised to avoid strenuous exercise during the smog.

Croydon Advertiser

Saharan dust expected to give Croydon car washes a busy week

Vehicles throughout Croydon and the south east have been covered in a thin film of dust brought over by winds from the Saharan Desert.

Experts have attributed the dust to a sandstorm in Algeria, in north Africa, which launched the sand high up into the atmosphere.

The yellow-red mineral powder was carried across Europe by winds and mixed with rain clouds, leading to the powder being brought down in rain showers.

Emma Sharples, from the Met Office, said: “This does happen, it has happened before, but you need the combination of elements.

“The sandstorm in the Saharan region, the wind from the south/south east, and the right sort of rain.

“You need a light rain, not too much – just enough to bring it down and then when it dries out it leaves that residue on cars.

“It’s probably because the rain is not that heavy that it does not get brought down and washed off straight away.

“Of course it isn’t dangerous. The most it’s going to be is an inconvenience to people who have it on their clean cars.”

• 31 Mar, 2014
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