The Northern Lights are set to grace the skies of the UK tonight after a strong solar storm, pushing the stunning light show further south than usual. A powerful Coronal Mass Ejection hit the Earth at high speed on Monday, resulting in intense auroral activity across the country. This extraordinary event has caused the auroras to be visible in southern regions like the US, reaching as far south as New Mexico.
In the UK, the lights have extended further south, illuminating select areas with vibrant red and green hues. Certain regions are more favorable for viewing this natural spectacle, as stated by the Met Office. Parts of Cornwall, Scotland, and northern England were treated to the aurora on Monday, with Scotland being well-acquainted with these phenomena, especially in its northernmost territories.
The Met Office forecasts a continuation of the auroral display tonight, subject to weather conditions. Another Coronal Mass Ejection is expected to arrive today, likely affecting the same areas as before. The auroral activity is anticipated to diminish by the evening of January 20 UTC, possibly still visible in parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and similar latitudes with clear skies before returning to normal levels.
Although the widespread show from Monday is not expected to repeat on Tuesday, the Met Office suggests that the best viewing times for the aurora will be between 6 pm and 11.59 pm in the northernmost regions of the UK. Cloudy conditions may hinder sightings in other areas. A solar storm reaching a Kp level of 8 to 9 is required for the aurora to be visible further south.
The Met Office has issued a red warning indicating that the activity tonight is likely to reach a Kp level of around 7, remaining confined to the northern regions. Extreme auroral activity, classified at Kp levels of 8 or 9, is considered rare and requires a severe geomagnetic storm to draw the aurora belt southwards over the UK. During moderate to strong storms, the Aurora borealis may move southwards towards Iceland or the Faeroes, occasionally visible from the UK due to their high altitudes.
