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Glorious Kent sunsets caused by Saharan dust

Many of us have been gasping at glorious sunsets across Kent during our daily walks this week - and we have the Sahara desert to thank for it.

Saharan dust - whipped up thousands of miles away - is creating spectacular sunsets in this part of the world.

Ian Hook captured this stunning sunset picture in Romney Marsh Picture: @ianhook66
Ian Hook captured this stunning sunset picture in Romney Marsh Picture: @ianhook66

But there is a downside, as it also leaves dust on cars, windows and other surfaces.

It's thanks to high winds causing dust from the African desert to reach the country, which is creating spectacular scenery for us thousands of miles away.

The Met Office says of how it is reaching us: "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.

"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.

"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."

Here's how some of you have been capturing them on camera across the county:

And even police in Maidstone have got in on the sunset pictures this week.

Find out more about the phenomenon from the Met Office here.

For all the forecasts, warnings and weather related news, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Kent

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