Home
Weather London
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
Career
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    To the north - Northern Lights could shine tonight

17:00
13 May 2026

To the north
Northern Lights could shine tonight

The night sky glows with vivid aurora colours, showing bright green bands near the horizon blending into purple and pink streaks higher up. Dark silhouettes of trees frame the bottom of the scene.
A particularly strong aurora pictured in Solihull in 2025. - © Spencer Salter

The arrival of a solar particles Wednesday evening brings a chance to see the always awe-inspiring Northern Lights in the north of the UK.

This display, also known as the Aurora Borealis, is produced by particles emitted by the Sun impacting the Earth's atmosphere. On Sunday, the Sun produced a large coronal mass ejection which is set to arrive Wednesday night.

The Northern Lights can often be spotted in Scotland, but with stronger events like tonight, they can be seen further south too... if the skies are clear.

Much like the day, there is still rain moving through the UK and Ireland by the evening, but pockets of visibility open up.

Can't see them? Maybe you can

Swirling trails of greens and reds are the typically pictured scenes from an aurora, but they can be invisible to the naked eye. Try taking a long-exposure of the evening sky to capture any activity.

Like all astronomical events, it is easier to spot the Northern Lights in areas away from artificial light, which can mask the night sky.

Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
Equinox marks the start of autumn. Days start to get shorter. . . Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Split image showing Stonehenge in warm sunlight beside a tree-lined park glowing with vivid orange, red, and golden autumn leaves.
Wednesday, 23 September 2026

Days start to get shorter

Equinox marks the start of autumn
Hurricane threat off the coast of Mexico. Storm and rain. . . Monday, 21 September 2026
Split image showing a powerful tropical system southwest of Acapulco on a wind map and palm trees bending sharply in strong winds.
Monday, 21 September 2026

Storm and rain

Hurricane threat off the coast of Mexico
Colourful skies and scenic clouds cover. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday, 20 September 2026
Split image showing a golden sunset over the sea beneath layered clouds and a pink-purple sunset reflected across calm riverside water.
Sunday, 20 September 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Colourful skies and scenic clouds cover
All weather news
This might also interest you
Seasonal warmth between spring thunder. Your weather - Your shots. . . Sunday, 19 April 2026
Split image showing coastal sunset with layered lenticular clouds over rooftops and palm trees on the left, and a green valley with river and hills under soft daylight on the right.
Sunday, 19 April 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Seasonal warmth between spring thunder
Storm Chandra makes impact. Severe gales & heavy rain. . . Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Split image showing strong winds over the UK on a forecast map and widespread rain and snow on a weather radar map.
Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Severe gales & heavy rain

Storm Chandra makes impact
New records for England and Wales. Broken again tomorrow?. . . Thursday, 25 June 2026
Temperature map of southwest Britain on 25.06 showing extreme heat across southern Wales and southwest England, with Bute Park in Cardiff highlighted at 34.2°C and Yeovilton at 36.4°C amid widespread deep red heat zones.
Thursday, 25 June 2026

Broken again tomorrow?

New records for England and Wales
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