The Solar Cycle and Aurora: Why Some Years Are Better Than Others
The solar cycle helps explain why aurora activity rises and falls over time, with stronger geomagnetic activity usually showing up more often around solar maximum than solar minimum.
Northern lights forecast tonight in the United Kingdom
Track northern lights chances across Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, from Shetland to London.
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Browse by area
Aberdeen City1 place
Belfast1 place
Birmingham1 place
Cardiff1 place
City of Bristol1 place
City of Edinburgh1 place
City of York1 place
Derry City and Strabane1 place
England1 place
Glasgow City1 place
Highland4 places
Leeds1 place
Liverpool1 place
Manchester1 place
Newcastle upon Tyne1 place
Orkney Islands1 place
Outer Hebrides1 place
Sheffield1 place
Shetland Islands1 place
| Lerwick | None | Medium |
| Kirkwall | None | Medium |
| Thurso | None | Medium |
| Stornoway | None | Medium |
| Inverness | None | Medium |
| Isle of Skye | None | Medium |
| Aviemore | None | Low |
| Aberdeen | None | Low |
| Edinburgh | None | Low |
| Glasgow | None | Low |
| Derry/Londonderry | None | Low |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | None | None |
| Belfast | None | Low |
| York | None | None |
| Leeds | None | None |
| Manchester | None | None |
| Liverpool | None | None |
| Sheffield | None | None |
| Birmingham | None | None |
| London | None | None |
| Cardiff | None | None |
| Bristol | None | None |
The chances above don't take the weather into account, so be sure to check the forecast to see if it's cloudy or clear.
Keep exploring aurora forecasts in the United Kingdom
Use the links below to compare countries, learn how aurora visibility works, and move from a broad the United Kingdom forecast to more specific planning pages.
Northern lights forecast across EuropeCompare this country with 112 locations across northern and central Europe.Aurora forecast guides and articlesRead practical explainers on darkness, seasonality, and aurora visibility.Northern lights viewing FAQFind clear answers about clouds, darkness, and when forecast odds matter most.Homepage forecast overviewReturn to the homepage to compare featured cities across North America and Europe.
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Aurora guides for the United Kingdom forecast nights
Use these guides to understand why a forecast can look promising in the United Kingdom but still depend on darkness, weather, and viewing conditions.
Can You See the Northern Lights in California?
Yes, but only rarely. California can see the northern lights during unusually strong geomagnetic storms, and even then the best odds are usually in darker northern areas with a clear view of the northern horizon.
What Is a Substorm?
A substorm is a short-lived burst of aurora activity that can make the northern lights brighten, move faster, and become easier to spot for a while.