How and when to see the Northern Lights in the UK TONIGHT: Aurora will be visible as a huge coronal mass ejection strikes Earth
Share:
As 2024 draws to a close this evening, millions of Britons will have their eyes to the skies in search of fireworks. But any New Year's Eve displays will pale in comparison to nature's greatest light show. The Northern Lights will be visible across huge parts of the UK tonight, the Met Office has revealed.
![[In terms of timings, the Met Office predicts that the Northern Lights will peak over the UK at around 21:00, although they may still be visible through until about 03:00 tomorrow morning]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/31/09/93609523-14238693-The_Northern_Lights_will_peak_at_around_21_00_this_evening-a-57_1735635920030.jpg)
The lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are set to appear as a huge coronal mass ejection (CME) strikes Earth. Usually, the Northern Lights are only seen in the auroral oval - a ring of light that encircles the polar caps. However, the Met Office predicts that they could be visible much further south this evening.
![[Most of the CMEs over the last 24 hours have been considered far-sided, meaning they won't strike Earth. However, astronomers have discovered one heading our way which could spark Northern Lights just in time for New Year's Eve. Pictured: Northern Lights seen in Wales in May]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/31/09/93609489-14238693-image-m-60_1735635945504.jpg)
'The auroral oval is likely to remain at background levels initially,' it explained. 'However, from 31 Dec, a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) is forecast to arrive at Earth with a risk of G1-G2/Minor-Moderate geomagnetic storms which could produce visible aurora across Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England.'.
![[Here in the UK, the Northern Lights could be visible across Scotland, Northern Ireland, and parts of northern England. Pictured: Aurora over Lancashire in May]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/31/09/93609687-14238693-image-a-61_1735635984440.jpg)
The Northern Lights will be visible across huge parts of the UK tonight, the Met Office has revealed. Pictured: The Northern Lights over Portobello, near Edinburgh, in October. In terms of timings, the Met Office predicts that the Northern Lights will peak over the UK at around 21:00, although they may still be visible through until about 03:00 tomorrow morning.
![[Unfortunately, the weather forecast for this evening isn't looking great, which could scupper your plans to see the Northern Lights (pictured over Tynemouth in May)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/31/09/93609689-14238693-image-a-63_1735636020420.jpg)
