The Met Office has revealed the cause behind a strange smell that has appeared after the first spell of rain hit the UK in months.
After an extended weather drought which saw large parts of the UK without any rain, yesterday provided some light relief for farmers and gardeners across the country.
Many parts of the UK experienced rain for the first time in months and, after the Met Office issued a yellow thunderstorm warning, downpours are expected to last until Wednesday.
However, many people across the country have been questioning a strange smell in the air after the first drop of rain saw large parts of the country with a mysterious odour.
It has led to the Met Office explaining the reason behind the pungent smell, which has caused quite a stir.
There is, in fact, a name for the smell - Petrichor, which is a smell released from an oil in the ground and which comes from two sources.
It is produced by plants and bacteria in the soil during dry spells, which explains the recent strange smell.
The Met Office explained: "Petrichor is the name for the smell that accompanies the first rain after a period of dry weather.
"The smell is released from an oil in the ground and the oil comes from two sources.
"During dry spells it is produced by plants and bacteria in the soil.
"Scientists think the reason we like the smell is because cultures throughout history were so reliant on rain."
As the UK welcomed rain after one of the driest July's on record, Britain has had 33 flood alerts in place, with 31 still remaining active ahead of more thunderstorms today and tomorrow.
The downpours are expected to break the persistent heat, after the amber heat warning officially expires.
Brits over the weekend saw sweltering temperatures which led to emergency services being called out to tackle blazes of smoke - with one area having to evacuate up to 50 homes because a fire spread onto a field.
The terrifying fire in Creswell, Worksop saw four fire engines called to the residential area after locals were told to leave their homes as a result of the blaze.
Meanwhile, the thunderstorms will also come as a relieve to gardeners as three water companies, Southern Water, South East Water and Welsh Water all imposed hosepipe bans.
And other water companies are set to follow with Yorkshire Water announcing a hosepipe ban which will start on August 26 and Thames Water is planning one in the coming weeks.
