Met Office issues major update on Northern Lights over UK on Monday night

The Met Office has revealed whether the Northern Lights could be visible over the UK on Monday night following spectacular display over recent days. The sky was illuminated by dazzling colours of the natural phenomenon over the weekend. Known as the Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights is typically visible near the Arctic Circle. However, during times of high solar activity, the Northern Lights can be seen in other areas. Stargazers new have reason to be excited, as the Met Office revealed whether the dazzling display will be seen over UK skies tonight (October 12)

Senior Operational Meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said the Northern Lights will be more intense on Monday night than they were on Sunday, potentially offering another spectacular light show in the night sky. He said: “They may be a little stronger again Monday night so could be seen further south into central areas. Long exposure camera shots may show something each night a little further south than the above visible by eye forecast.”

According to the Met Office, Brits could even catch a glimpse of the aurora until Tuesday. Breathtaking photos have been taken, showcasing the dazzling light display witnessed on the weekend across various parts of the country, including Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, northern England and even as far south as southern and eastern England.

In its space forecast issued on Saturday, the Met Office said: “Two glancing coronal mass ejections followed by a coronal hole high speed stream bring a daily chance of enhancing the auroral oval, with sightings possible across Scotland and similar geomagnetic longitudes where skies are clear between 10-13 Oct.”

The spectacular aurora was triggered by a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), a phenomenon in which the Sun emits enormous clouds of particles that interact with the Earth’s atmosphere.

The enchanting colours of the Northern Lights are produced when the solar particles collide with oxygen and nitrogen gases in the Earth’s atmosphere.

Oxygen atoms emit a mesmerizing green hue, which is the color most frequently associated with the Aurora Borealis. In contrast, nitrogen atoms produce captivating shades of purple, blue, and pink.

The best chance to catch a glimpse of the aurora is when the sky is dark and clear of any clouds and light pollution, such as in remote areas that face the northern horizon.