Breath-taking photos appear to show an African desert lighting up the skies of Europe in a rare and stunning natural phenomenon.
Images have been shared on social media of Lyon, France, where an orange glow depicts a Dune-like city-scape.
The stunning photographs are due to a sand haze which has swept all the way from the Sahara to France.
Due to the unusual weather system that originated thousands of miles away in Africa the wintery skies of the European country were lit up with a sandy glow.
Explaining the weather system on the country's Meteo France forecasters said: “A low pressure system on the Iberian Peninsula is organizing a powerful southerly flow which brings sand from the Sahara to France.
“The presence of sand in the atmosphere gave a yellow-orange tint to the sky in the south-east and the centre-east of France this morning.”
The meteorological phenomenon is said to be linked to a powerful southerly flow that brings spring temperatures.
It also brings with it a large concentration of Saharan dust which is said to be suspended in the atmosphere.
With the plume covering a region of southern France, the city of Lyon appeared more like a sub-Saharan desert city than its traditional appearance.
The World Meteorological Organisation tweeted an image of the Jura mountains along the border between Switzerland and France.
The group said: "When snow becomes sand. Saharan dust has transformed the landscape in parts of Europe."
Pictures of the phenomenon have been widely shared on social media and among those enjoying the unique skies were skiers seen taking to the slopes despite the freak weather incident.
An orange hue was also seen in the Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley as the air was filled with the sand dust from the Sahara.
Have you seen the phenomenon? If so let us know in the comments or get in touch with your pictures.
