Hot spell sees Limerick cars covered in dust, as Saharan sand falls

THE latest hot weather spell is bringing Saharan dust to Limerick, with many cars covered in a dusting overnight. 

People took to social media, this Tuesday morning, to share their confusion about the dust, with one user questioning the 'dirty rain' on their car.

It is thought to have been blown from the largest hot desert in the world, the Sahara, located in Africa and spanning across a third of the continent. 

What's with the dirty rain? Loads cars covered in it this am. #rain #Limerick #cars pic.twitter.com/lwjRu26lJz

— ∞✨C✨∞ (@clairemsb) September 5, 2023

Carlow Weather's Alan O'Reilly confirmed that he had received reports from the Southwest of the Saharan dust on cars and windows after showers overnight. 

"The dust will remain over us for the rest of the week but will only come down with showers," he said.

"If you look to the south you can see the system steering up the warmer air and carried with it is Saharan dust.

"Dust will move over Ireland over coming days but largely stay above us unless you catch a shower that brings it down to the surface," he forecast.

More reports from Southwest of the Saharan dust on cars and windows after showers overnight. This video from Alan Daly in West Cork shows the dust left behind last night after a shower. The dust will remain over us for the rest of the week but will only come down with showers. pic.twitter.com/h0wpNRgYOM

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) September 5, 2023

Met Éireann has forecast warm and dry conditions for most, with long spells of hazy sunshine. 

Something of an 'Indian summer' has been reported, with Shannon Airport recording the second highest temperature in the country on Monday, September 4 of 27.4 degrees.

High-rise building near Limerick park 'too high'

Despite being mid-autumn, temperatures have risen and are reportedly staying warm for the foreseeable. 

Highest temperatures of 22 to 26 degrees are forecast for Tuesday, September 5, and moderate easterly breezes, fresh on the south coast.