Can I see the northern lights tonight in Burton upon Trent?
Unlikely tonight.
NOAA's forecast peaks at Kp 2.67 during Burton upon Trent's dark hours tonight (5:50 pm to 6:00 am), strongest from about 12:00 am. From Burton upon Trent the aurora usually needs about Kp 7 to show low on the northern horizon and Kp 9 to be overhead. The Moon is 18% lit and up for 26% of the dark hours.
The next three nights
Peak Kp 2.67 in the dark, 5:50 pm–6:00 am. Moon 18% lit.
Peak Kp 3.67 in the dark, 5:50 pm–6:00 am. Moon 11% lit.
Peak Kp 5 (G1) in the dark, 5:50 pm–6:00 am. Moon 5% lit.
Kp forecast for Burton upon Trent
NOAA planetary K-index: the past day observed, the next three days forecast, in Burton upon Trent local time. Lines: the Kp at which the aurora usually reaches Burton upon Trent's northern horizon, and overhead. The peak value is NOAA's estimated Kp for the 3-hour block starting 12:00 am.
It is dark in Burton upon Trent now. Little aurora activity near you right now.
Seeing the aurora from Burton upon Trent
Burton upon Trent is at 52.8°N, which is magnetic latitude 49.3°: the aurora follows the magnetic pole, not the geographic one, which sits over northern Canada, so Britain and Ireland need a stronger storm than places at the same latitude in North America. In a quiet night the auroral oval stays far to the north. When a solar storm arrives the oval widens and slides south; at about Kp 7 it usually reaches low over Burton upon Trent's northern horizon, and at Kp 9 it can be overhead.
Kp forecasts more than a day ahead are uncertain: the timing and strength of a solar storm are often only clear an hour or so before it hits, when it passes the spacecraft upstream of Earth. So a "possible" night can fizzle, and a quiet forecast can surprise. This page updates every 30 minutes. The full week's aurora forecast · What the Kp index means.
Questions
Can I see the northern lights tonight in Burton upon Trent?
Unlikely. NOAA's forecast peaks at Kp 2.67 during Burton upon Trent's dark hours tonight (5:50 pm to 6:00 am), strongest from about 12:00 am. From Burton upon Trent the aurora usually needs about Kp 7 to show low on the northern horizon and Kp 9 to be overhead. The Moon is 18% lit and up for 26% of the dark hours. You also need clear skies to the north, which we do not forecast.
What Kp do you need to see the northern lights in Burton upon Trent?
About Kp 7 to see the aurora low on the northern horizon, and Kp 9 for it to be overhead. Burton upon Trent is at magnetic latitude 49.3°; the southern edge of the auroral oval sits near 66.5° at Kp 0 and moves about 2° south per Kp step.
What time is best to see the aurora?
Usually within a couple of hours of midnight local time, when your part of the Earth faces the night side of the auroral oval. During a storm it can show any time it is dark, so watch the live Kp and go out when it jumps.
Where should I look?
North. From Burton upon Trent the aurora usually appears as a green or grey glow low over the northern horizon, rising higher only in strong storms. Get away from street lights and let your eyes adjust for 15 minutes. A phone camera on night mode often shows colour the eye cannot.
Northern lights nearby
All of England →Also over Burton upon Trent
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.