The Met Office’s aurora forecast says anytime before midnight tonight is the optimum opportunity to see the Northern Lights, particularly as skies will be clear across the UK
Brits are braced to catch a rare glimpse of the Northern Lights this evening.
The Met Office says the aurora borealis may become visible to the naked eye where skies are dark and clear and, as there has been a lack of rain today and little expected tomorrow, conditions are looking encouraging across the UK. But meteorologists say the best chances are for those living across Northern England and Northern Ireland northwards.
The coronal mass ejection is caused by the interaction of Earth’s atmosphere with solar storms and is generally rare, although several were visible in the spring and summer of this year. The Met Office forecasts: “At least one coronal mass ejection, perhaps two, are expected to arrive at between the UTC days of the Saturday 05 – Sunday 06 Oct.
“Following the arrival of the coronal mass ejection (most likely overnight tonight) aurora may become visible to the naked-eye, where skies are dark and clear and weather conditions allow, from Northern England and Northern Ireland northwards. There is a chance of aurora at peak becoming visible from Wales, as well as southern England, particularly where aided by long-exposure camera photography. Auroral activity should gradually lessen into the coming working week (barring new events).”
As the storms interact with atmospheric gases over the magnetic poles at either end of the world, a gorgeous kaleidoscope of lights appear in the sky. While the site is common in countries like Norway, Iceland and even some parts of Canada, it’s far more rare in the UK.
Solar flares – large eruptions of electromagnetic radiation from the Sun – can last anywhere from minutes to hours, and travel at the speed of light. This means that their impact on the sunlit side of Earth’s exposed outer atmosphere happens simultaneously with their observation.
In May, Nicole Jay, who watched the spectacular display from her garden in Essex with husband Richie, said: “It was such an incredible experience. Especially from our own garden! A little bit of magic.”
Met Office Space Weather Manager Krista Hammond said today: “There is the potential for a coronal mass ejection to arrive at Earth late on Friday or early on Saturday, which could lead to visible aurora for Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England.
“In addition, we recently observed an X9 solar flare – the largest of this solar cycle so far. The accompanying coronal mass ejection is likely to arrive at Earth overnight on Saturday into Sunday, meaning that enhanced auroral visibility is possible further south across central England and similar latitudes, though cloud and rain could hamper viewing potential for some.”
The lack of rain today and on Friday has helped to create optimum conditions. Only traces fell across England on Friday, though more than 10mm of rain lashed across County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.
