Britons are in for a special treat tonight as a red alert has been issued indicating a high likelihood of witnessing the breathtaking Northern Lights across the UK. The Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, are a natural phenomenon characterized by shimmering waves of green, pink, and red colors in the Earth’s sky. These captivating colors result from charged solar particles colliding with gases in the upper atmosphere.
Lancaster University has issued a red alert, signifying a significant chance of observing the Northern Lights due to heightened geomagnetic activity. The university’s chart measures this activity in nanotesla units, reaching around 280nT for the evening. The Met Office confirms that starting from tonight, individuals in the UK may have the opportunity to witness the Northern Lights, with higher probabilities in northern Scotland gradually decreasing towards the south.
According to the national agency, the aurora oval is expected to start at or near normal levels initially. However, the arrival of a fast solar wind from a large coronal hole on December 3rd or 4th is anticipated to expand the auroral oval to lower latitudes, making the lights potentially visible in northern Scotland and potentially further south due to a possible coronal mass ejection.
Typically, the best locations to witness the Northern Lights are nearer the polar regions, such as Scotland, North England, North Wales, and Northern Ireland, as the Earth’s magnetic field guides particles towards the poles. However, under severe space weather conditions, the lights can be visible throughout the UK. If you miss the chance to see the lights this time, consider planning a trip during the winter months of 2026, projected to be the best year in a decade for viewing opportunities due to the upcoming solar maximum event.
The solar maximum, a rare event characterized by heightened solar magnetic activity, is expected to peak until March 2026 before waning until the mid-2030s. Fortunately, European destinations like Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland offer excellent viewing spots for the Aurora due to their proximity to the Arctic Circle.