Car owners across the region have been left baffled this morning (September 7) after noticing that dust from the Sahara Desert has settled on their vehicles.

A surprising September heatwave where temperatures in the UK reached up to 30C has left a mark on vehicles across the region in the form of sand blown from the Sahara Desert.

The clear and settled conditions because of the high temperatures have given rise to glowing sunsets and hazy dawns as dust from the Sahara is blown north in the atmosphere.

Read more: Hour-by-hour Met Office weather forecast for Darlington

The Northern Echo: Sahara dust spotted on cars in the North East.Sahara dust spotted on cars in the North East. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

The plume was captured on satellite imagery moving across the Mediterranean and stretching for more than 1,200 miles on its way to the the UK and Scandinavia.

It is contributing to worsening air pollution this week, with hot, still weather known to also increase ground levels of harmful ozone.

Car owners in the North East have now snapped pictures of the sand, which can be mostly found on the corners of the windscreen and bonnets.

The powder has a bright orange glow and can easily be spotted in circles or in streaks down windows and doors.

The Northern Echo: Sahara dust spotted on cars in the North East.Sahara dust spotted on cars in the North East. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Car owners have been warned not to rub or brush the powder off with their hands or with a cloth as this will cause severe damage to the paintwork of the car.

The Northern Echo: Sahara dust spotted on cars in the North East.Sahara dust spotted on cars in the North East. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Instead, they are asked to rinse the vehicle down with pre-wash before thoroughly rinsing.

Stephen Dixon of the Met Office has stated that whilst temperatures are expected to reach up to 33C later this week, the Sahara dust should be gone as we head into Monday.

Mr Dixon said: “Saharan dust is one factor in the air quality forecast.

The Northern Echo: Sahara dust spotted on cars in the North East.Sahara dust spotted on cars in the North East. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

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“Moderate levels of air pollution are expected across the UK on Saturday, with some high levels also likely for central and eastern parts.

“Air pollution levels will look to reduce from Sunday, as we start to transition to this more unsettled picture from the north west.

The Northern Echo: Sahara dust spotted on cars in the North East.Sahara dust spotted on cars in the North East. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

“Saharan dust in the atmosphere is generally decreasing in concentration in the coming days and the remnants of that air is expected to push away as the UK returns to a more mobile Atlantic weather pattern from early next week.”