Met Office explains opaque UK skies, Wales Online reports
UK skies turned opaque and grey after wildfire smoke from North America drifted south across Britain, the Met Office confirmed. Wales Online reports the haze stems from Canadian wildfires more than 900 miles away, creating a rare murky look amid recent heat.
Key Takeaways
- The Met Office linked the opaque blue skies to wildfire smoke drifting south across the UK from North America.
- Wales Online says the smoke is believed to have come from Canadian wildfires over 900 miles away.
- The Mirror reports more than 900 wildfires are raging in Canada, forcing thousands to evacuate.
- UK temperatures have eased slightly, with southern highs near 28C and northern areas around 25-26C this week.
Why did the UK's blue skies turn opaque?
A rare meteorological phenomenon left parts of the United Kingdom looking overcast even when skies were not simply cloudy. The Met Office asked whether people had noticed "an opaqueness to the blue sky this morning," then explained the cause.
"Wildfire smoke from North America is drifting south across the UK, meaning the clear skies may not be as blue as you might expect," the Met Office said, according to Wales Online.
The murkiness stood out after months of sweltering conditions. Coverage in Future Tech & AI Wonders often tracks how climate extremes and long-range atmospheric transport reshape everyday weather.
Where did the wildfire smoke come from?
Wales Online reports the smoke is believed to have originated in Canada, over 900 miles away. Raging wildfires there have forced thousands of residents to flee their homes, with smoke spreading across North America and the Atlantic Ocean.
The Mirror adds that more than 900 wildfires are currently raging in Canada. That plume then crossed large swathes of the Atlantic before affecting UK skies.
What does the Met Office forecast say next?
Temperatures have eased slightly after earlier heatwave conditions. The Met Office expects southern regions to peak around 28C on most days this week, while northern areas hover around 25-26C.
Far-north conditions should stay "cloudy and cool" with possible light showers, the forecaster said, adding: "Dry and sunny elsewhere with some very warm sunshine." Settled weather is expected through Friday, with more widespread rain pushing into the north on Saturday.
The BBC outlook points to cloudy north, sunny spells in the south, and the odd shower in the east. Weather maps also suggest another heatwave could follow, with potential highs of 37C in August across southern England and the Midlands.