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Dramatic sunrise captured across the South West

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Teignmouth sunriseImage source, Debbie Lannon
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Debbie Lannon captured this sunrise while going for a swim at dawn in Teignmouth, Devon

Early risers were treated to an eye-catching sunrise on Thursday with the sky turning shades of red, pink and orange.

People across the south-west of England have been sharing their pictures of the first dramatic sunrise of 2022.

Image source, Daniel Schofield
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Daniel Schofield saw the orange sky while working in Newquay, Cornwall

Image source, Mike Allsopp
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Mike Allsopp captured the pink sky reflecting off the water in Looe, Cornwall

Image source, Chris Slack Photography
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Bright pink light shone through the clouds for Chris Slack at Paignton Beach, in Devon

So why does the sky change colour?

Emily Wood, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Weather presenter

'Red sky at night, shepherd's delight' is a very well known weather phrase, and does hold some truth.

When high pressure dominates, dust and small particles can be trapped in the air, scattering blue light and making red light more visible.

With the prevailing weather conditions coming from the west, as is often the case here, a red or pink sunset means high pressure is approaching from the west, bringing dry weather.

The weather was settled overnight last night, with the clear skies allowing temperatures to drop below freezing in places.

However, this morning a weather front has moved in from the west, bringing cloud and outbreaks of rain, so the pink sky in the morning was indeed a shepherd's warning for more unsettled conditions.

Image source, Debbie Lannon
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The colours shone brightly in Teignmouth

Image source, Steve Wilson
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"Morning has broken" said Steve Wilson from Barnstaple, Devon

Image source, Daniel Schofield
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"There are worse sites to work on" said Daniel Schofield in Newquay

Image source, Rob Kelly
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On Wednesday, the sky at this spot in Cornwall was also pink and red at sunset for Rob Kelly

All images are copyrighted.

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