Brits could be in for spectacular Northern Lights display across parts of UK on New Year's Eve

30 December 2024, 12:48

Northern Lights Visible In England
The Met Office has indicated that the aurora could be visible across Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern parts of England on New Year’s Eve. Picture: Getty

By Flaminia Luck

Brits might be in for a spectacular display of the Northern Lights across parts of the UK on New Year's Eve - weather conditions pending.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

2024 has already seen a significant increase in stunning aurora sightings, with rare views reaching as far south as England. Now, even more breathtaking displays are expected in the year ahead.

A Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) — a burst of solar particles from the Sun — is predicted to reach Earth on December 31, sparking the Northern Lights when it interacts with the Earth's magnetic field.

There is a moderate chance of geomagnetic storms, which could disrupt satellite signals, radio communications, and even cause power outages in extreme cases.

The northern lights at Beadnell, Northumberland
The northern lights at Beadnell, Northumberland. Picture: Alamy

The Met Office has indicated that the aurora could be visible across Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern parts of England on New Year’s Eve, although weather conditions could reduce visibility.

"Tomorrow night will be cloudy across much of the UK, but there may be some clearer spells in eastern Scotland, northeastern England, and Northern Ireland between 6 PM and 9 PM," a spokesperson told The Sun.

"However, these clear periods are likely to be brief, with cloud and rain expected in many areas, particularly in northern and western Scotland.

"If the Northern Lights don't make a strong appearance this time, there will likely be even better opportunities to see them in 2025.

The Northern Lights at Lilburn Tower/Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland
The Northern Lights at Lilburn Tower/Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland. Picture: Alamy

A rare, once-in-a-decade peak of solar activity is expected in July 2025.

"The Sun has been highly active recently, and we anticipate this will continue throughout 2025," explained Elizabeth J. McGrath, an associate professor of physics and astronomy at Colby College, in a recent interview with The Sun.

"Typically, auroras are only visible near Earth’s magnetic poles, as charged particles from the Sun are trapped by Earth’s magnetic field and funneled toward the poles," she continued.

"However, during periods of intense solar activity, such as solar maximum, there are more charged particles from the Sun.

"When these particles interact with Earth's magnetic field, they can spread further from the poles, allowing auroras to be seen at more southerly latitudes, even in places that don't usually experience them — including London!"

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Exclusive
Wayne Newman, a pest control expert from OP Kill Pest Control.

'It's a losing battle': On the road with Birmingham's pest control as they tackle city's rat infestation amid bin strike

South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol

South Korea president Yoon Suk Yeol removed from office as impeachment upheld over martial law declaration

NHS hospitals and buildings are plagued by rats, cockroaches, silverfish and other pests, results from the latest staff survey have revealed.

Hospital of horrors: NHS 'plagued by rats and cockroaches' as well as 'sewage leaks and crumbling ceilings'

Sadiq Khan will get new powers to overrule councils that block pubs and clubs opening late

Boost for London's nightlife as Khan goes to war with local councils that block pubs and clubs opening late

Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen to put out seven 'lost' albums of unreleased songs

Val Kilmer & Tom Cruise in Top Gun

Tom Cruise breaks silence on 'dear friend' Val Kilmer's death with emotional tribute to Top Gun co-star

Virginia Giuffre

Woman driving Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre during crash that left her with 'four days to live' breaks silence

Prescot, Merseyside

Girl, 13, dies in horror Merseyside house fire as five children escape unharmed

File photo of a Harris hawk

Dive-bombing hawk that terrorised village with string of blood-soaked attacks finally caught by local hero

Exclusive
'Donald Trump has made Putin comfortable,' Mikhail Khodorkovsky has warned

'Trump has made Putin comfortable' despite massive Ukraine war losses, exiled former oligarch tells LBC

New images show the moment the two ships collided.

New images show moment of North Sea crash as investigation reveals neither ship had a 'dedicated lookout'

Washington, DC, USA. 15 Apr 2017. A balloon caricature of President Donald Trump appears at the Tax March protest near the U.S. Capitol.

Buy US chlorinated chicken in return for lower tariffs, Trump tells Britain

From jeans to jet fuel and firearms to whiskey: Britain unveils lengthy list of US items facing tariffs

From jeans to jet fuel and firearms to whisky: Britain unveils lengthy list of US items facing tariffs

Forensic investigators at Milton Keynes train station after a man was shot dead by armed police officers.

Knifeman shot dead by police in Milton Keynes after moving 'at speed' towards officers named for first time

The bodies of Andrew Searle and his wife Dawn were discovered by a neighbour.

British couple found dead in south of France home being ‘treated as murder-suicide’

Kerri Pegg, former governor of HMP Kirkham,

Prison governor denies relationship with drug boss 'Jesse Pinkman' after flip flops carrying his DNA found in her flat