The storm is believed to have picked up dust from the Sahara and debris from forest fires in Spain and Portugal as it travelled towards the UK, causing the sun to appear red and creating an atmospheric orange glow. The Met Office said there had been reports of the red sun from Bristol, Devon and Cornwall. While skies over London have been covered in a murky orange haze (pictured) as the desert dust mixes with clouds, offering Londoners a stark contrast to the grey that usually greets them at this time of year. Forecaster Grahame Madge explained that Ophelia is pulling air and dust up from southern Europe and Africa. He said: '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.
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