An ‘extreme’ geomagnetic storm is expected to trigger spectacular and widespread aurora displays across the globe
Northern lights may be visible in the UK tonight(Image: The Met Office)
The Northern Lights may dazzle skies across the UK tonight following sightings in parts of the country overnight, the Met Office said.
The forecaster has issued a space weather warning for the lights, also known as the aurora borealis. It says aurora displays will be visible across parts of the UK on Wednesday night (November 12) and into Thursday morning.
Vibrant displays are set to be possible again in the north of the country, with a chance of seeing the lights further south across England and Wales, although cloud cover may impact visibility.
In its space weather forecast, the Met Office warned of both ‘extreme’ and ‘severe’ geomagnetic storms. It issued a notification of a ‘severe’ G5 storm from 12pm on Wednesday until 11.59pm on Thursday (November 13).
In the event of a red alert, or G5 storm – the highest category on its scale – it says aurora may be seen across the whole of the UK.
Met Office aurora maps show the intensity and the location of the auroral oval as green ovals, turning red for more intense aurora. It shows northern parts of the UK covered by red-orange aurora, with green ovals suggesting visibility further south across the country.
Aurora maps show a high chance of visible Northern Lights at midnight tonight(Image: The Met Office)
The maps suggest the best time to catch a glimpse of the aurora tonight is from 9pm until 3am, with the strongest activity forecast at around midnight.
The Met Office said in its space weather forecast on Wednesday: “Two (Coronal mass ejections) CMEs arrived late on the 11 Nov with a further CME expected on the 12 Nov. These CMEs are associated with Strong class flares and increase in speed with each event.
“Aurora is expected across parts of northern UK and similar geomagnetic latitudes, with a chance of sighting further south across England and Wales.
“Cloud cover however will likely limit sightings, with the best of any breaks being towards southeast England (where the aurora is less likely) or perhaps the far north Scotland (aurora is more likely).
“Enhanced aurora may continue overnight Thursday, this is currently lower confidence though but more cloud breaks across parts of England and Wales and far North Scotland may lead to more sightings.
“Activity currently expected to then decline through the period, but it should be noted the area responsible for these CMEs is still present on the disc and this forecast may change.”
A major solar storm is set to trigger widespread aurora displays(Image: PA)Where will skies be clear?
The aurora sits hundreds of kilometres up in the sky above the height of the clouds, so clear skies are essential when trying to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
However, the forecast isn’t in every UK sky watcher’s favour tonight. Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said in a video on X: “There will be a reasonable chance of seeing the aurora across parts of northern Scotland. Here there will be some clear spells, in amongst some showery bursts.
“Also some clearer breaks across parts of the southeast to start the night. Then later on in the night, perhaps some across parts of Wales and southwest England.
“Otherwise though, it’s looking largely cloudy and there will be some rain around too.
“Though don’t lose all hope, because there could be some clear spells.”