Forecasters call this natural phenomenon “the haze of an anticyclone,” when fog and low clouds do not allow the sun’s rays to pass through.
The UK is gripped by an interesting natural phenomenon called “anticyclonic gloom”, or “anticyclonic darkness”, when the weather has been stuck in a rut of fog, haze and low clouds for several weeks, with not even a glimmer of sun visible on the horizon. Now it fully justifies its nickname Foggy Albion, which was given to Britain by the ancient Greeks. About this writes Daily Mail.
Much of England and Wales has seen no significant rainfall other than a light drizzle since October 28, although Scotland last saw showers over the weekend.
Anticyclone haze – a typical British phenomenon
Photo: Bristol live
And the last day with widespread sunshine in the UK was October 27, although some weather stations recorded several hours of bright sunshine on Halloween.
The country’s weather is determined by high pressure, or anticyclone, which blocks fronts, bringing rain, and leads to a prolonged dry period.
While this often results in warm, sunny days with light winds in the summer months, it can lead to “anticyclone haze” in the fall and winter.
The sun has not been seen in Britain since October 28
Photo: Bristol live
The Met Office has confirmed that the UK is experiencing a similar phenomenon this week, with high pressure trapping moisture close to the Earth’s surface.
This moisture creates low clouds, haze and fog, which cannot rise and clear because sunlight and wind are weak, which creates cloudy weather.
As high pressure remains in place, low clouds thicken again overnight as temperatures drop and moisture condenses, which can also lead to poor air quality in cities due to the buildup of pollutants.
Such bleak conditions were once memorably described by travel writer Bill Bryson, who wrote: “It rained occasionally, but mostly it was just dreary, a shadowless land.”
One user wrote on social media in response to the Weather Centre: “The lack of wind and rain is great, but the heavy dark skies, oh my God, are so depressing. It’s been like this all week, and your forecast for this week is the same. Just terrible, wow.” I’m almost feeling claustrophobic.”
And another said that he never thought that the inability to see the sky would have such a depressing effect on him.
Let us remind you that in the meantime foggy weather is also predicted in Ukraine. But the cooling will be delayed and it will become a little warmer.
