Saharan dust mixed with wet weather is likely to leave red residue

Oct 22, 2012 18:01 GMT  ·  By

People in the UK should expect a phenomenon known as “blood rain,” this Halloween.

As red dust is kicked up in storms from the Saharan dessert, and it reaches the wet fronts in the UK, it should hit the south east of England in the form of reddish rain.

As the dust will be carried on a band of warm air, it is expected to leave red residue behind, including red stains on cars and clothing.

The red stains will be more visible as the rain dries off, the Independent reports.

Blood rain or red rain has spurred many legends in the past. According to Wikipedia, it was first mentioned by Homer in his Iliad, in 8th century BC.

The occurrence of blood rain, which until the end of the middle ages was believed to be actual blood falling from the sky, was considered a bad omen.