Can I see the northern lights tonight in the UK?
Unlikely in the UK, a long shot in the far north.
NOAA's Kp forecast peaks at 3 during tonight's dark hours. 0 of the 69 cities we cover in the UK have a possible or good view tonight.
Green: NOAA OVATION aurora model, forecast for 03:41 UTC 5 Nov (a 30 to 90 minute nowcast; the oval moves and brightens through the night). Dots: our verdict for tonight from the Kp forecast.
By nation
| Region | Cities | Lowest Kp needed | Tonight (best city) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland | 4 | 4 | Long shot (Aberdeen) |
| Northern Ireland | 2 | 5 | Unlikely (Derry) |
| England | 60 | 6 | Unlikely (Manchester) |
| Wales | 3 | 7 | Unlikely (Swansea) |
Biggest cities
Kp forecast
NOAA planetary K-index, observed and forecast, in GMT.
Questions
Can I see the northern lights tonight in the UK?
Unlikely in the UK, a long shot in the far north. NOAA's Kp forecast peaks at 3 during tonight's dark hours. 0 of the 69 cities we cover in the UK have a possible or good view tonight. Clear skies to the north are needed.
Where in the UK is best for the northern lights?
The further north (in magnetic latitude) the better. Of the cities we cover, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh need the lowest Kp.
Northern lights tonight: all countries → · Aurora forecast this week · Kp index explained
Data: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (planetary K-index forecast, 3-day forecast, 27-day outlook, OVATION aurora model). Magnetic latitudes: AACGM-v2. Darkness and Moon computed with Skyfield and JPL DE440. We do not forecast clouds: you need a clear view to the north. How the verdict is made.