Did you notice a layer of fine dust covering your car this morning?
Many Britons woke up to find their vehicles covered in a reddish brown dust.
But rather than ordinary dirt or grime, this fine powder was Saharan dust.
As the name suggests, it has travelled all the way from the Sahara Desert.
The mixture of sand and dust has been carried 2,500 miles from the desert which covers most of North Africa.
So how does Saharan dust reach the UK?
According to the Met Office the wind can blow strongly over deserts, whipping up sand and dust high into the atmosphere.
If the winds in the upper part of our atmosphere are blowing north the dust and sand can be blown as far as the UK.
The Met Office says: "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."
But the sand and dust needs something to bring it down.
The Met Office says: "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."
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Is it hazardous to health?
You'll be somewhat dismayed if you've just washed your car. But if you have asthma it will be of even more concern as it can be harmful to your health.
Dr Andy Whittamore, clinical lead at Asthma UK, told the Mirror : "Saharan dust could post a serious risk to the 5.4million people in the UK with asthma.
"Toxic air can leave people struggling for breath and can cause wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and even a life-threatening asthma attack.
"People with asthma must make sure they carry their reliever inhaler (usually blue) with them at all times in case their symptoms worsen."
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