A dust cloud from the Sahara is spreading northwards, bringing with it the possibility of a rare 'blood rain' weather event.
The phenomenon occurs when the dust from the desert mixes with rain, leading to the showers having a red appearance when they land.
The UK's Met Office is warning that parts of England could see red or orange rain over the coming days.
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It comes as Ireland looks set to experience unsettled weather for the rest of the week after two days of thunderstorms in several counties.
More thunder is forecast for Wednesday afternoon and evening, with a mixture of showers and sunny spells expected for the days ahead.
Met Eireann says that a band of rain will extend from the west through Wednesday afternoon and will move eastwards across the country.
The rain will be heavy at times with some localised downpours leading to spot flooding, and isolated thunder.
Rain will clear eastern areas on Wednesday night with dry and clear weather in most areas overnight. Some patches of mist and fog will form as southerly winds ease light to moderate, while winds remain strong along Atlantic coasts, with lowest temperatures of 5 to 8C.
Here is Met Eireann's outlook for the remainder of the week:
Thursday: Mainly dry with varying cloud and sunny spells on Thursday, however a few isolated showers are possible, these occurring mainly in Connacht and Ulster. Highest temperatures of 14 to 17C in moderate to fresh and gusty south to southwest winds, but winds will be strong to near gale force along Atlantic coasts and possibly strong at times along some eastern coasts.
Thursday night will be mainly dry. Rain will develop in the west of the country and turn heavy in places towards morning. Lowest temperatures of 8 to 10C in moderate southerly winds.
Rain on Friday morning will clear to scattered heavy showers and sunny spells in the afternoon. Highest temperatures 14 to 16C in moderate to fresh westerly winds.
Showers will ease Friday night and it'll be dry for a time with clear spells. Lowest temperatures of 7 to 8C with moderate to fresh westerly winds.
There'll be further afternoon showers on Saturday with a spell of more persistent rain Saturday night. Highest temperatures 15 to 17C in light to moderate southwest winds.
There'll be a few further showers on Sunday with temperatures up to 18C in light to moderate southerly winds.
Current indications suggest there will be further showers Monday and Tuesday with light winds and temperatures on the rise towards the end of the outlook period.
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