Northern Lights may illuminate UK skies this week

Published: 12 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

The Northern Lights are set to dazzle parts of the UK this week, with a potential “severe” geomagnetic storm expected to increase the likelihood of auroral displays. Stargazers may be treated to glimpses of the Aurora Borealis on Wednesday night, with the spectacle possibly extending into Thursday morning.

This marks the second time in a week that the natural phenomenon has been predicted to appear over the UK, following sightings on Tuesday night across northern regions of the country. The Met Office confirmed on social media: “Aurora possible tonight! Most likely across northern Scotland but perhaps further south across Northern Ireland, England and Wales, although widespread cloud in these areas will likely limit any sightings.”

Experts say the best viewing opportunities will be in northern Scotland, although clear skies and low light pollution in more southern areas could also offer lucky observers the chance to witness the spectacle. The Northern Lights are generally most visible within the auroral oval, a band of light that encircles Iceland and the polar regions, although strong geomagnetic activity can push the phenomenon further south.

The current auroral activity is linked to three coronal mass ejections (CMEs) expected to reach Earth between Tuesday and Thursday. CMEs are bursts of solar plasma and magnetic fields that travel millions of kilometres per hour. When these particles interact with Earth’s magnetic field, they can trigger geomagnetic storms, which in turn generate the vivid displays of light known as the Northern Lights.

The British Geological Survey explains that the colours of the aurora depend on the molecules affected in Earth’s atmosphere. Oxygen and nitrogen interact with the incoming solar particles to produce a range of hues including blues, greens, pinks, yellows, and reds. On Tuesday night, pink and green rays were reportedly seen over St Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay, North East England.

Visibility of the phenomenon, however, is contingent on several factors, including cloud cover, light pollution, and the moon’s brightness. Observers are advised to find dark, open spaces away from city lights for the clearest views. Remote locations with an unobstructed horizon provide the best conditions to experience the full grandeur of the aurora.

Photographers looking to capture the spectacle are encouraged to plan carefully. The Royal Photographic Society recommends aiming for a windless, clear night and choosing a location with minimal light interference. Creative foregrounds such as trees or lakes can enhance photos, and the use of additional lighting like strobes or LED lamps can bring out details in the landscape.

The Met Office notes that auroral activity tends to peak around the Equinoxes and Solstices, with March and April or September and October being particularly favourable months. However, strong solar activity can create exceptional viewing opportunities outside these periods, allowing lucky skywatchers to witness the awe-inspiring natural display even in the UK’s higher latitudes.

With conditions appearing favourable this week, astronomers and amateur stargazers alike are urged to look to the skies for what promises to be a rare and unforgettable display of the Northern Lights.