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
Drought for North Wales and Upper Severn. 2% of average rainfall. . . Thursday, 23 July 2026
Split image showing a July rainfall anomaly map of Europe on the left with below-average rainfall across the UK, Ireland, and much of western and central Europe, and an active moorland wildfire on the right producing flames and thick smoke near homes.
Thursday, 23 July 2026

2% of average rainfall

Drought for North Wales and Upper Severn
Heavier rainfall over the week for some. Ireland & Scotland. . . Tuesday, 28 July 2026
Split image showing a Europe rainfall accumulation forecast map on the left with the highest totals across the UK, Ireland, and Scandinavia, and a satellite weather map on the right with a broad band of rain stretching across Ireland, Scotland, and northern Britain, highlighted by a rain cloud icon.
Tuesday, 28 July 2026

Ireland & Scotland

Heavier rainfall over the week for some
Rain returns to end dry spell in places. Jet stream delivery. . . Thursday, 23 July 2026
Split weather graphic showing widespread showers across the UK and Ireland on the left, and a wind forecast map on the right with a windsock icon and gusts of 25 to 35 mph, highlighting breezy conditions across the two countries.
Thursday, 23 July 2026

Jet stream delivery

Rain returns to end dry spell in places
All weather news
This might also interest you
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
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
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