VIDEO: Storm Ophelia turns sun red

The unusual occurrence was seen in the south west this morning, with a number of people sharing photos and video online of the phenomenon.

Sharon Derrick shared a video of the sun over Bristol and said: “Bristol looks like the film The Red Planet... the weather is bizarre.”

Met Office forecaster Grahame Madge said the former hurricane is pulling air and dust up from southern Europe and Africa.

“It’s all connected with Ophelia, on the eastern side of the low pressure system air is coming up in the southern direction,” he said.

“Air is being pulled from southern Europe and Africa and that air contains a lot of dust.

“So it’s most likely the appearance of sunset at midday is caused by the particles scattering the light and giving the appearance of a red sun.

“It’s certainly spectacular at the moment and quite a talking point, we’ve had a lot of calls about it.”