Hurricane Ophelia creates red sun phenomenon over Wrexham

An odd hazy sky and overly red sun is being caused by the tail end of Hurricane Ophelia bringing small particles of Saharan dust and causing the sun to glow red and orange.

Many will have seen extra dust on their car windscreens this morning, with the particles dropped with early morning rainfall.

Through the morning into midday the sky has gradually become darker as the storm moves north easterly, and starts to hit Ireland.

The technical explanation is that light is refracted and reflected in longer wavelengths therefore making it appear redder than usual.

The below image shows the track of the storm, plus the feed in of the desert dust:

Track of #Saharandust reaching #Anglesey aided by #Ophelia @DerekTheWeather pic.twitter.com/slZ1SJFE9q

— Llansadwrn Weather (@tywyddmon) October 16, 2017

Below are some pictures we’ve been tweeted this morning of the sun over Wrexham:

@wrexham lovely sun on a cloudy day in mold Flintshire today pic.twitter.com/lXy9pF2WG7

— joanne edwards (@snapshotjo) October 16, 2017

@wrexham am I seeing things or is the sun literally glowing red right now? 🌞 pic.twitter.com/T68fu2ZbtM

— Emma ❄️🐖🐄 (@EmmaaaaLW) October 16, 2017

Weird moon over @wrexham area at the min pic.twitter.com/HyB3SkRJ4i

— Fflatfourperformance (@fflatfour) October 16, 2017

@wrexham fascinating red sun in town this morning #dontlookdirectlyatthesun pic.twitter.com/CBotE3fG8u

— Artisan Cake Company (@artisancakes_) October 16, 2017

@wrexham the sun is looking proper freaky today, glowing red and orange colours.

— Kate (@TaffyKate) October 16, 2017

A travel warning has also been issued by police today, with winds set to hit 50mph locally early this afternoon. People are advised to take extra care and only travel if absolutely necessary.

If travelling to the North Wales coast, the gusts are set to be stronger and disruption on the roads is expected.

Thanks to Dickens Vauxhall for the top picture of the very odd sun!