Met Office explains rare weather phenomenon as UK's blue skies turn 'opaque'

Met Office explains rare weather phenomenon as UK's blue skies turn 'opaque' The Met Office has issued an explanation after a rare weather phenomenon turned skies in some parts of the UK 'opaque' earlier today A rare weather phenomenon sweeping the UK has caused blue skies to become 'opaque' and grey. The normally clear blue skies have been cloudy this morning due to wildfire smoke from North America drifting south across the UK, the Met Office revealed, resulting in a murkiness at odds with the recent scorching heat. The source of the smoke lies in Canada where more than 900 wildfires are currently raging, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes and spreading smoke across North America as well as large swathes of the Atlantic. The Met Office said today: "Have you noticed an opaqueness to the blue sky this morning? "Wildfire smoke from North America is drifting south across the UK, meaning the clear skies may not be as blue as you might expect..." Met Office weather forecast Temperatures have dropped off slightly this week following scorching heatwave conditions earlier this month. The Met Office expects southern regions to peak at around 28C most days this week, with northern areas hovering around 25-26C. Conditions should stay "cloudy and cool in the far north" tomorrow with light showers possible, the Met Office says. "Dry and sunny elsewhere with some very warm sunshine." The Met Office forecast adds: "Remaining settled through to Friday with patchy cloud and showers in the north. Very warm in the south. Outbreaks of more widespread rain push into the north on Saturday." BBC weather forecast The BBC also says cloudy conditions are expected in northern areas tomorrow, with "sunny spells" coming in the south and "the odd shower" in the east. For Thursday, BBC forecasters expect another cloudy start in the north with "sunny spells and patchy cloud further south". The BBC forecast adds: "Friday looks to be dry with sunny spells for most, though northern Scotland will see spells of rain developing. "These will push southwards on Saturday, with a few showers developing in the north behind it." This all comes as weather maps suggest another heatwave could be right around the corner... [Image text:] Cloud Smoke