Can you see the northern lights in the UK tonight?
Live aurora odds for every nation of the UK — tonight's Kp versus the Kp each one needs, city by city.
Tonight's Kp is 2.3; Scotland needs Kp 5.7. Tonight's Kp is below what any nation of the UK needs — the lowest threshold is Lerwick at Kp 4.2. Cosmik tracks it live, free.
Kp now
2.3
Tonight max
2.7
Scotland needs
Kp 5.7
Lerwick needs
Kp 4.2
Live NOAA SWPC data, refreshed every 30 min. Geomagnetic latitude: AACGM-v2.
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✈ TelegramKp needed by nation
| Nation | Needs | Tonight |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland | Kp 5.7 | 🟠 Low |
| Northern Ireland | Kp 6.2 | 🟠 Low |
| England | Kp 7 | 🟠 Low |
| Wales | Kp 7.4 | 🟠 Low |
Each figure is for where most people in that nation live; the north of each one needs less.
Northern lights in Scotland
Scotland needs about Kp 5.7 — tonight's odds are low. Shetland and Orkney — the UK's best aurora ground, where the "mirrie dancers" show on moderate storms.
Northern lights in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland needs about Kp 6.2 — tonight's odds are low. The Causeway Coast (Dunluce Castle, Ballintoy, the Giant's Causeway) — the classic north-facing aurora shoreline.
- Belfast · needs Kp 6.2 · 🟠 Low
Northern lights in England
England needs about Kp 7 — tonight's odds are low. Northumberland International Dark Sky Park and Kielder Water — England's darkest skies and its best aurora odds.
- Newcastle · needs Kp 6.1 · 🟠 Low
- Leeds · needs Kp 6.5 · 🟠 Low
- York · needs Kp 6.5 · 🟠 Low
- Liverpool · needs Kp 6.7 · 🟠 Low
- Manchester · needs Kp 6.7 · 🟠 Low
- Sheffield · needs Kp 6.7 · 🟠 Low
- Nottingham · needs Kp 6.9 · 🟠 Low
- Leicester · needs Kp 7 · 🟠 Low
- Birmingham · needs Kp 7.1 · 🟠 Low
- Cambridge · needs Kp 7.2 · 🟠 Low
- Oxford · needs Kp 7.4 · 🟠 Low
- Bristol · needs Kp 7.5 · 🟠 Low
- London · needs Kp 7.5 · 🟠 Low
- Brighton · needs Kp 7.7 · 🟠 Low
- Portsmouth · needs Kp 7.7 · 🟠 Low
- Southampton · needs Kp 7.7 · 🟠 Low
- Plymouth · needs Kp 7.9 · 🟠 Low
Northern lights in Wales
Wales needs about Kp 7.4 — tonight's odds are low. Eryri (Snowdonia) International Dark Sky Reserve — mountain ridges with open northern horizons.
- Cardiff · needs Kp 7.4 · 🟠 Low
How to see the northern lights in the UK
Get as far north as you can, away from town lights, with an open view to the north. Check the Kp here before you leave: once tonight's value reaches the figure for your area, the aurora is possible, not certain — cloud, moonlight and the storm's timing still decide. Let your eyes adapt for 15 minutes; a phone camera in night mode often picks up the glow before your eyes do.
Northern lights in the UK — FAQ
Can you see the northern lights in the UK tonight?
Tonight's Kp is 2.3 (live NOAA SWPC). Tonight's Kp is below what any nation of the UK needs — the lowest threshold is Lerwick at Kp 4.2. Clear skies and darkness decide the rest — the aurora is always a chance, never a promise.
What Kp do you need to see the northern lights in the UK?
It depends on how far north you are: Scotland about Kp 5.7, Northern Ireland about Kp 6.2, England about Kp 7, Wales about Kp 7.4. The easiest place in our catalogue is Lerwick (Kp 4.2). These come from AACGM-v2 geomagnetic latitude — the higher it is, the lower the Kp you need.
Where is the best place to see the northern lights in the UK?
The north of Scotland — Shetland, Orkney, Caithness and Sutherland — followed by the Highlands and islands, the Northumberland and Galloway dark-sky parks, and the north coast of Northern Ireland. Anywhere dark with an open view to the north works on a strong storm.
When is the best time to see the aurora in the UK?
Between about 10 pm and 2 am local time on a clear, moonless night, from September to April. Geomagnetic storms are most frequent around the equinoxes (September–October and March–April). In June and July, the north of Scotland never gets dark enough.
See tonight's aurora forecast for every city → · Canada aurora forecast
