The 'murk'

[Flash bang flash bang etc]

Just interested to get an answer to why it is on a clear day that there is a brownish/ greyish / purplish haze which increases as you get nearer the point where the horizon is.

My assumption is that it is unfortunately due to air pollution, but can it be caused by anything else?

It is quite evident today (I'm over in Berkshire).

[Mokidugway]

Dust in atmosphere at low levels I believe ...

[Flash bang flash bang etc]

Ok. But is this related to local air pollution or the pollution index?

Just wondering cos I'm sure on holidays I haven't seen it so evident so I was thinking it must be location-based

[Stargazer]

I remember when I used to live in Southampton - when visiting the New Forest you could look across on a clear day and see a brown cloud over the city (but not in any other direction)...so I'd guess it's pollution you're seeing. When it comes to pollution Reading is legendary, and I've been breathing its dodgy 'air' for over 12 years now .

[Mokidugway]

Ok. But is this related to local air pollution or the pollution index?

Just wondering cos I'm sure on holidays I haven't seen it so evident so I was thinking it must be location-based

I would say local ,seen it in South west usa when near large population centres ,agriculture and quarries could be worthy culprits too ..

[Flash bang flash bang etc]

Ah ok. Yeah lots of traffic in Reading and around it too. Thanks for the replies - so sad that so many of us live in such dirty air!

[cheese]

I see the same thing here.

[Mokidugway]

We're lucky here on the west coast ,usually clean fresh air !!.

[Daniel*]

If you thought London was bad for air quality well it is but in comparison to Delhi

http://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2015/04/21/natpkg-open-mic-india-pollution.cnn

Intoxicating

Trees do wonderful things - I believe Boris J made a pledge to plant more trees still waiting.

[GreyCrag]

Definite air pollution, not necessarily man-made either but a mixture of dust, pollen, ash, etc. A good to see this in effect is along the Cheshire-ridge (Lyme Park for example) where you have the Cheshire plains below in which all the 'stuff' collects and is trapped. Meanwhile standing a few hundred feet above, up in the hills, you're in less denser air and have a clearer view to the horizon.

Edited April 23, 2015 by SNOW_JOKE