• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
Parts of the UK could see Northern Lights again tonight according to Met Office

Home> News

Published 11:24 20 May 2024 GMT+1

Parts of the UK could see Northern Lights again tonight according to Met Office

Those who missed the aurora borealis have another possible chance to catch the spectacular display.

Ella Scott

Ella Scott

Lucky UK dwellers have another possible chance to catch the Northern Lights tonight, according to The Met Office.

You’d have been hard-pressed earlier this month to be scrolling through Instagram and not come across a wave of spectacular aurora pictures.

Everyone’s social media feeds were flooded with snaps of the night sky streaked with pink, purple and green ribbons - known more commonly as the aurora borealis.

The bands of light were visible last week due to a combination of clear skies and an extreme geomagnetic storm, as per the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

However, as the phenomenon took place quite late at night, many space enthusiasts missed the boat the first time around - if that’s you, you may be in luck tonight.

Advert

According to the Met Office, the Northern Hemisphere may bear witness to an aurora on Monday Night (20-21 May) following the possible arrival of a coronal mass ejection (CME).

A CME sees large bubbles of coronal plasma being ejected from the Sun at millions of miles per hour, as per NASA.

This event can cause billion tons of matter to explode across the sky and can trigger auroral displays.

Due to the electrical current flowing through the ionosphere, a CME can also cause intense magnetic fluctuations and communication problems on the Earth’s surface.

Advert

A CME took place on Friday, May 17. (NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center)
A CME took place on Friday, May 17. (NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center)

The Met Office claims a striking CME was recorded last Friday (May 17) - meaning an aurora could become visible this evening.

It’s said that those living in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland have the best chance of witnessing the Northern Lights again.

“There are a couple of mass ejections on their way to Earth,” said Met Office space weather expert Krista Hammond.

Advert

“They’re a lot less powerful than what we saw last weekend, but they could bring aurora displays across predominantly northern parts of the UK, such as Scotland, Northern Ireland, and north of England.”

Speaking over the weekend, she explained: “Just because we’re not seeing aurora across the whole of the UK, it doesn’t mean that we’re not going to see it in some areas.”

Krista added that due to the Sun being in the most active period of its 11-year cycle, we are likely to experience further geomagnetic storms.

Skyviewers may be able to catch the Northern Lights on Monday night. (Sarah Sharpe/PA)
Skyviewers may be able to catch the Northern Lights on Monday night. (Sarah Sharpe/PA)

Advert

“We’re currently at solar maximum and we’re seeing more sunspots,” she continued.

“If we see more sunspots, we see this increased frequency in space weather and therefore the aurora.”

Meteorologist Jim Dale, of British Weather Services, also added that there are probably more sightings of the Northern Lights to come.

He told Express.co.uk: "It certainly isn't over.

Advert

“The geomagnetic field ebbing and flowing but, clear skies allowing, there's every chance of repeat performances over the next 10 days.”

He added that there was some ‘luck’ required, as per usual.

So, while not everyone in the UK will get a chance to see the aurora this evening, there is a strong chance that some will be able to feat their eyes.

May the odds be forever in your favour!

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Space, UK News, Weather, Travel

Ella Scott
Ella Scott

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

9 hours ago
10 hours ago
  • Getty Stock ImageGetty Stock Image
    9 hours ago

    One US state is pushing new abortion act that could threaten birth control access

    South Carolina's Senate Bill 323, also known as the Unborn Child Protection Act, would redefine life as beginning at conception

    News
  • Win McNamee/Getty ImageWin McNamee/Getty Image
    9 hours ago

    Restaurant bombarded with 1-star reviews after Trump demanded protesters be removed from diner

    Donald Trump attempted to dine in Washington D.C.'s branch of Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab

    News
  • ITVITV
    10 hours ago

    Father of British woman caught smuggling £15m of cocaine speaks out after she dodges 60-year sentence

    Kim Hall, 29, was arrested at Chicago's O’Hare airport last August after being caught with 43kg of cocaine in her luggage

    News
  • Win McNamee/Getty ImagesWin McNamee/Getty Images
    10 hours ago

    'Panicked' Trump demands protestors to be removed from restaurant and people shocked over unexpected detail

    Donald Trump attempted to dine at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab on Tuesday (9 Sept)

    News
  • How to watch 'most beautiful' meteor shower as it peaks across the skies tonight
  • New UK tipping law that comes into force today could affect thousands of Brits
  • Official guidance on maximum office temperatures as health alert issued across UK
  • When UK could host Olympics again after LA handed torch for 2028 games