Been wondering why the sky has a yellow tinge to it on Monday?

Well you're not the only one.

The sky's strange hue combined with a pinky red sun has left readers (and us) perplexed.

However, it is believed to be a combination of Saharan dust pulled in by ex-hurricane Ophelia and smoke from the forest fires in Portugal.

By lunchtime in Bournemouth town centre, the sky had turned dark with it resembling night-time rather than day. 

Wondering about the hazy sky and odd smells around parts of Dorset today?

Dorset Police were also alerted to reports of "gas-like smells" around the coast.

An investigation was carried out with the Met Office and the Environment Agency, but the exact cause of the smell could not be identified. However, it is believed to have been remnants of smoke from Portugal's forest fires.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "Gas-like smells were reported in south coast areas of Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Dorset overnight. They were investigated by partners. The exact cause wasn't identified, but it was harmless and largely gone by mid-morning.

"The current hazy sky and smell could be remnants of smoke from forest fires in Portugal, which have been brought by the unusually strong wind from the south. There have also been reports of Saharan dust in current weather systems too. It is hard to know which is the main cause, but both are also harmless in their current form."

Winds of up to 109mph have already been recorded off the south coast of Ireland as ex hurricane Ophelia reaches the British Isles. 


The Met Office has issued amber warnings for Northern Ireland, South West Scotland, Strathclyde and Wales.

Yellow warnings have been issued for the south west of England however this does not include Dorset. 

Do you have a picture to share with us? click the button below.