Stargazers across the United Kingdom are in for a potential celestial treat tonight, as experts issue a rare red alert for the appearance of the Northern Lights.
Red Alert Issued for Widespread Visibility
Physicists from Lancaster University, who monitor geomagnetic activity, raised the alert at 6:18pm on Wednesday, 3 December 2025. They stated that the aurora borealis is 'likely' to be visible to the naked eye and to cameras from anywhere in the UK. The alert is based on a significant spike in magnetic field strength, which reached around 280 nanotesla (nT) this evening.
Solar Activity Driving the Spectacle
The Met Office has confirmed that the phenomenon is being driven by the onset of fast solar winds and a potential Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) from the sun. These eruptions travel at millions of kilometres per hour and, when directed at Earth, interact with our planet's magnetic field. This interaction triggers geomagnetic storms, which in turn produce the dazzling displays of the aurora.
The famous lights, most often seen near the Arctic Circle, appear as shimmering curtains of colour in the night sky. The British Geological Survey explains that the specific hues—from greens and blues to yellows and rarer reds—depend on which atmospheric gases, such as oxygen or nitrogen, are excited by the solar particles.
When and Where to Look
While the entire UK has a chance of a sighting, the highest probability remains in northern Scotland. The Met Office has provided a graphic indicating that auroral activity will peak around 9pm tonight, dip, and then rise again around 2am on Thursday morning.
However, hopeful viewers in some areas may face challenges from the weather. Forecasters have warned that it could be a wet night across Northern Ireland and parts of northern England, which could obscure the view.
This event follows a notable display last month, where the aurora was visible over several nights, particularly in northern England. Tonight's red alert suggests an even greater opportunity for a widespread and vivid show.
