Parts of UK may have a chance of seeing the Northern Lights tonight

December 31, 2024
Pictures of 2024 taken by Colin Lane.The Aurora, Northern Lights over Crosby Beach on Merseyside.

According to the Met Office, on New Year's Eve, residents in some parts of the UK may be able to see the Northern Lights. The natural phenomenon, commonly known as the aurora borealis, may be spotted by people celebrating the new year in the east of Scotland, northeastern England, and Northern Ireland.

Scotland's "best chances" of witnessing the Northern Lights should be in certain regions, according to a spokesperson. "Unfortunately, the weather conditions are not that helpful, even though the solar conditions are set fair to see the northern lights," stated Grahame Madge, a spokeswoman for the Met Office. Scotland ought to offer the greatest opportunities, but it will be difficult to secure a view because of the prevailing unrest.

“Perhaps the best areas may be those along the eastern coast of Scotland.” The forecaster said cloud coverage could “hamper any sightings”.

The auroras, which are most commonly seen over high polar latitudes but can spread south, are chiefly influenced by geomagnetic storms which originate from activity on the sun.

The sun works on a cycle of about 11 years called the solar cycle – with peak sunspot activity on the surface of the sun referred to as solar maximum.