Home / Editor's Pick /

Did you spot them? Northern Lights shine over Europe

11:00
24 April 2023

Did you spot them?
Northern Lights shine over Europe

This time-lapse of the aurora was captured by user Chantal Anders in Ense, Germany.

The UK and Europe were treated to a widespread display of the Northern Lights on Sunday, one of the final shows of the season.

Late Sunday evening, a powerful aurora borealis reached far into Europe.

Visible as far as the Alps, the geomagnetic storm appeared a day after the Lyrid meteor shower reached its peak.

Northern LightsNorthern Lights seen in Brandenburg, Germany. - © Sarah Böhm

The Northern Lights actually happen all year round, but since the Sun's rays are a million times more powerful, we can only see the display when it's dark.

What causes auroras?read more

Therefore, it is typically during the winter months that we have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights.

Aurora displays are starting to become more commonplace in the UK and Ireland as the Sun enters the most active phase of its solar cycle.

As the Sun approaches this phase, which it should reach in 2025, larger and more frequent solar flares and coronal mass ejection events will shoot solar particles towards Earth, triggering auroras.

If you were one of the lucky ones who saw the Northern Lights, we want to see your photos and videos too! Use the uploader to submit your shots.

Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
The weather map shows extremely low temperatures in Canada.
Monday, 15 December 2025

Minus 53 degrees

Record cold in Canada's Yukon Territory
Weather map showing temperatures and a 4,542 mile route arrow over the Atlantic. Symbols indicate sun, clouds and precipitation from North America to Europe.
Wednesday, 17 December 2025

From Europe to America

Weather front over 4,500 miles long
pinecones
Thursday, 11 December 2025

Winter helpers

How pine cones aid the weather forecast
All weather news
This might also interest you
Weather graphic showing rain and wind fields over the Canary Islands and a central warning symbol.
Friday, 12 December 2025

Storm and rain

Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands
Monday, 25 August 2025

Bank holiday outlook

Warm day turning gusty in places
Mammatus clouds
Thursday, 21 August 2025

Unusual view

Mammatus clouds over Ireland
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList