A sand plume is expected to reach the UK in the next few days, bringing with it striking sunrises and sunsets known as something called "blood rain".

The brightest colours are expected on Thursday and continuing into Friday, especially when skies are clear at sunrise and sunset.

But it could also create issues for drivers, who are being warned not to do serious damage to their vehicles if they wake up to a covering of the so-called "blood rain".

When mixed with rain, the Saharan dust can leave dirty deposits on surfaces, particularly cars and windows.

The most noticeable displays are likely to occur in England and Wales as clearer and cooler conditions arrive from the west by the end of the week, according to the BBC.

The Met Office forecast for 'blood rain'

The forecaster said: "Current assessments suggest that concentrations will pass close to or just south of the UK, but a brush of dust‑influenced air is likely, particularly affecting southern parts of the country.

"By Wednesday and Thursday, the combination of a moist south‑westerly airflow and a broad dust plume could lead to some dust settling out with the rain.

"At this stage, concentrations are expected to remain relatively low, meaning rainfall itself is unlikely to appear noticeably red.

"Instead, where dust mixes in, the impact is more likely to be seen after showers have passed, with a light film of yellowish or brownish residue on surfaces.

"For those in the southwest, the timing of the rainfall will be a key factor.

"Overnight showers or early‑morning rain on Thursday could leave dust deposits by dawn.

"Elsewhere across the UK, dust levels are currently forecast to remain even lower, with largely unremarkable rainfall expected."

What is blood rain?

The Met Office said: "The term 'blood rain' often captures attention, but it can be misleading.

"It is not a scientific phrase, nor does it describe a frequent or clearly defined meteorological event. Instead, it simply refers to rain that takes on a reddish tint once it reaches the ground.

"The colour can vary from a faint rusty hue to deeper reds, depending on how much dust is present in the atmosphere at the time of rainfall.

"For rain to appear red, relatively high concentrations of red‑coloured particles must mix with the water droplets in the cloud.

"Typically, these particles are sand or dust rich in iron oxides, giving them their characteristic colour."

How to make sure your car is safe

Graham Conway from Select Car Leasing said: “The fine Saharan dust leaves a very distinctive residue on your car or van, which you'll want to clean off right away.

"But it's important to take a few things into consideration before you do, or you'll be left with scratches to your paintwork that will be very tricky and expensive to rectify.

"First, don't run your finger through the sand or be tempted to write your name in it. That's because sand particles are very abrasive and will cause fine scratches.

"Before taking a sponge to your dusty motor, remove as much of the debris as you can. If you have a pressure washer with a foam attachment, this is ideal for removing it.

"Next you should drench it with plenty of water to rinse all of this off, then use a specialist car shampoo to remove the remaining residue and polish up any scratches you can see."

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"When rainfall occurs while these particles are suspended in the atmosphere, the droplets can take on that tint."

Will we see red rain?

They continued: "In practice, however, genuinely red rain is extremely rare. While dust‑laden rain is not uncommon in the UK, the concentration of particles is usually low, resulting in rain that looks normal to the naked eye.

"Only after the rain dries might you notice a thin film of dust left on cars, windows, or outdoor surfaces."