We could be in for major disruptions, predicts the Met office, including a bout of ‘blood rain’ which will bring red dust from the Sahara desert to blighty.

Heathrow has already cancelled 80 flights, and there are severe delays to flights still running. Newcastle Airport has also cancelled flights and London City Airport has had some disruption to the planned schedule.

Heavy fog was seen all over London today, passers-by could barely see the top of Tower Bridge, the fog was also experienced in other parts of Europe. The Met has issued a 17-hour alert for abnormal weather conditions.

A spokeswoman from the Met office told the Daily Mail: “Where there has been rain in the southeast there has been red dust brought down with it. When the rain dries off it leaves a red residue,

“This could last until the early part of the week.”

Picture: Getty.