Where and when to see the Northern Lights as aurora borealis could return to UK this week

3 October 2024, 18:39

Northern lights over a tree near Dunsford on the edge of Dartmoor, Devon.
Northern lights over a tree near Dunsford on the edge of Dartmoor, Devon. Picture: Alamy

By Henry Moore

The Northern Lights could be visible across the UK later this week following a series of solar flare eruptions.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Aurora borealis, commonly known as the Northern Lights, come about when solar storms from the sun interact with our planet’s atmosphere.

Those looking to catch a glimpse of the stunning night-time site could be in luck this week, with some experts predicting they will make an appearance.

Read more: Exact date rain to end and sunshine to return after 'wettest September in over a century'

"Over the next couple of days, there's a chance that we could be seeing the Northern Lights, particularly across northern parts of Scotland in the north of England and Northern Ireland," The Met Office’s Krista Hammond said.

"This is because there's the potential to see the arrival of a geomagnetic storm," she told Sky News.

Northern lights or aurora borealis illuminate the night sky
Northern lights or aurora borealis illuminate the night sky. Picture: Getty
Northern lights over the Stønesbotn at night, Senja, Norway
Northern lights over the Stønesbotn at night, Senja, Norway. Picture: Alamy

This would be the latest in a series of Northern Light showings to light up the night’s sky in 2024.

In May, millions of Brits watched as the stunning sight filled the sky all across the UK.

there's a chance in the coming nights that we will clip the edge of these two mass ejections, which means you've got the potential for the storm which causes the Northern Lights," Ms Hammond continued.

If you are desperate to see the Northern Lights for yourself, your best chance is to head to a low-light area in Scotland, the north of England or Northern Ireland.

Experts advise to lay down on your back and look up at the sky, giving your eyes some time to adjust to light.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the best aurora views may come from phone cameras, which are better at capturing light than the naked eye.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A major travel agent has urged families to go on holiday during Easter rather than the summer

Save thousands by going on holiday at Easter instead of summer, British families told

Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to tear up the ceasefire deal

Netanyahu threatens to end Gaza ceasefire if Hamas does not return hostages by Saturday deadline

Sir Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney were in attendance at Denis Law's funeral

Stars pay final respects to Denis Law as Manchester United legend laid to rest

Strangers bar is to reopen following spiking allegation

MPs bar to reopen with extra security after spiking claims

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

Post-mortem results reveal fatal injuries of British couple found dead at home in rural French village

Salman Rushdie gives evidence in court as author gives evidence against alleged knife attacker

Salman Rushdie gives evidence in court as author gives evidence against alleged knife attacker

The Huszti sisters

Bodies recovered from river in Scotland confirmed as missing sisters

Bargain Hunt star Charles Hanson arrives at Derby Crown Court, where he is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm between May 13 and 17 2020 and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour between May 2015 and June 2023,

Wife of Bargain Hunt star 'paralysed with fear' when husband Charles Hanson 'attacked' her while pregnant

Luis Rubiales is on trial in Madrid accused of sexual assault for kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips

Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales 'absolutely sure' kiss with Jenni Hermoso after World Cup win was consensual

Pedstrian faced half an hour queues on Hammersmith Bridge this morning

Commuter chaos as footway closure causes 30-minute pedestrian traffic jam on Hammersmith Bridge

Kanye West's store taken down by Shopify over sale of Swastika t-shirts following Super Bowl storm

Kanye West's store taken down by Shopify over sale of Swastika t-shirts following Super Bowl storm

Chelsea and Australia striker Sam Kerr found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer

Chelsea star Sam Kerr cleared of racially aggravated harassment after calling officer 'stupid and white'

Warren Gatland who has quit Wales during the Six Nations

Wales rugby coach Warren Gatland quits mid Six Nations following record run of defeats

Park rangers are attempting to capture an estimated 20 feral pigs

Park rangers hunt for 20 feral pigs in Scottish Highlands following 'illegal release'

As many as six in 10 children in some areas have rotting teeth by the age of five

North-south divide as data shows amount of children with rotting teeth rising

The mother claimed her husband would find the weather too hot.

Mum avoids deportation to the Caribbean after claiming her husband doesn't like the food and the weather is too hot