Stunning harvest moon captured across the UK as Brits make most of ‘last day of summer’ before downpours

THE stunning harvest moon has been captured across the UK as Brits make most of the last day of summer before downpours.

Stargazers all over the world will be treated to an orange-hued full lunar this week.

The harvest moon rises over South Shields lighthouse on the north east coast

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The harvest moon rises over South Shields lighthouse on the north east coastCredit: PA
The orange glowing moon could also be seen in all its glory above St Michael's Tower on Glastonbury Tor in Somerset

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The orange glowing moon could also be seen in all its glory above St Michael’s Tower on Glastonbury Tor in Somerset
Stunning pic here, taken at Mudeford Quay, Christchurch Harbour in Dorset

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Stunning pic here, taken at Mudeford Quay, Christchurch Harbour in DorsetCredit: Caters
The harvest moon rising above Birmingham, at sunset on Monday

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The harvest moon rising above Birmingham, at sunset on MondayCredit: PA
A pilot boat passes the rising harvest moon on September 20 off Swanpool Beach, Falmouth

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A pilot boat passes the rising harvest moon on September 20 off Swanpool Beach, Falmouth
The full harvest moon rises behind the Spinnaker Tower and Portsmouth skyline

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The full harvest moon rises behind the Spinnaker Tower and Portsmouth skyline
Another stunning shot, with the moon partly hidden behind clouds in Weymouth, Dorset

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Another stunning shot, with the moon partly hidden behind clouds in Weymouth, DorsetCredit: Alamy

The full harvest moon started appearing in the nation’s sky from Monday.

According to NASA, the lunar event was also visible from Iceland, Liberia, Senegal and across the Americas to the International Dateline.

It was scheduled to appear Tuesday night in the rest of Africa, Europe and Asia to the International Date Line.

All full moons have nicknames, which usually relate to the time of year they appear.

Harvest moon is the term given to the full moon which appears closest to the fall equinox – the point from which daylight hours start to reduce for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere.

It is named for its association with farmers. Before electricity, farmers used bright moonlight to prolong their work days past sunset.

According to Nasa, it was the only way that they could harvest their ripening crop in time for market.

With its bright orange glow, the harvest moon has been lighting up the night sky ahead of two severe Autumn storms.

According to forecasters, Brits will see a shift in the weather after high pressure on Tuesday brought a dry day.

The first two storms of autumn hit from Wednesday – with the Atlantic double whammy bringing 50mph gales and washouts for many.

The pair of tempests that span 800 miles will sweep past Scotland.

Forecasters are expecting 50mph gales and deluges Wednesday and Thursday.

A second stormy system will bring another round of gusts exceeding 50mph, and rain over the weekend.

Above: temperatures expected as of 1pm Wednesday

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Above: temperatures expected as of 1pm WednesdayCredit: Met Office

Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: “It looks more autumnal after a settled start to the week.

“Forecast models show potentially very blustery and wet conditions on Thursday, in particular for the north and east, with another wet and windy episode at the weekend.”

Ex-BBC and Met Office forecaster John Hammond of weathertrending said: “The weather is about to change gear, turning cooler, wetter and windier.”

Meanwhile, a Met Office forecaster said: “It turns more unsettled and potentially windy with rain from Tuesday onwards.

“Thursday and Friday look like seeing much of the UK receiving windy conditions and showers or rain, with coastal gales likely in the north-west.

“More strong winds and outbreaks of rain are expected from the weekend onwards in the north-west.

Met Office tweeted, “If you are travelling early Wednesday morning, be ready to encounter dense fog patches, especially in the south.

“Sudden reductions in visibility may give difficult driving conditions on some roads, while away from the fog, there will be some bright sunshine.”

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