The UK is poised for a potential celestial spectacle as the Met Office issues a space weather warning, indicating that the Northern Lights may be visible across significant parts of the country on Wednesday night.
When and Where to See the Aurora
According to the national forecaster, the aurora borealis, having already been spotted in the north east on Tuesday night, is predicted to be visible again from Wednesday night into Thursday morning. While the north of the country is the prime location for sightings, there is a genuine chance the dazzling display could be seen further south across England and Wales.
However, the major factor affecting visibility will be the cloud coverage. The weather forecast suggests widespread cloud across the UK throughout the evening. The north of Scotland is expected to have the clearest skies, offering the best potential viewing conditions. There is also hope for stargazers in the south-east, as the Met Office indicated the cloud may break in this region during the night.
The Science Behind the Spectacle
Krista Hammond, the Met Office's space weather manager, explained the cause of this event. "Multiple coronal mass ejections have reached Earth in recent days, with another one likely to arrive later today," she stated. A coronal mass ejection is a massive eruption of solar material from the Sun's atmosphere.
Hammond compared the upcoming event to the memorable display in May 2024, which saw auroras across much of England and Wales. "This event is likely to be of a similar magnitude," she confirmed, while also tempering expectations: "However, on this occasion, the weather will hamper viewing potential for many, with thick cloud and rain for much of the country."
As these solar particles interact with the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere, they create the shimmering curtains of green, pink, and purple light known as the Northern Lights. The Met Office added that this heightened activity is likely to decline by Thursday night, meaning the window for witnessing this natural wonder is limited.
