Northern Lights most likely to be seen in these 10 UK cities | Weather | News
A spectacular display of the Northern Lights could light up UK skies this week as the Met Office issues a geomagnetic storm alert and aurora activity intensifies in the Northern Hemisphere. This rare celestial phenomenon, usually restricted to Arctic regions, may be visible much further south than usual, with one city in particular emerging as Britain’s best observation spot.
A “strong geomagnetic storm” rated at G3 is expected to hit Earth, creating ideal conditions for the Northern Lights to appear in parts of the UK, experts have warned. This phenomenon is caused by massive solar flares that shoot charged particles into space. When these particles interact with the Earth’s magnetic field, they collide with atmospheric gases, releasing striking colorful bands that dance across the night sky.
The city most likely to witness the Northern Lights is Durham, according to a new analysis from Betway Casino.
The northern cathedral city recorded 727 observations, has relatively clear skies with an average annual cloud cover of 51.6%, and benefits from high visibility levels of up to 9 km.
Located approximately 2,434km from the North Pole, Durham’s location makes it one of the most promising places in the UK to experience this spectacle once the geomagnetic storm strengthens.
Here are the 10 cities where visitors are most likely to see the Northern Lights:
1.Durham
2. Edinburgh
3.Lancaster
4. Newcastle upon Tyne
5.Norwich
6.Brighton
7.Belfast
8. Colchester
9.Chester
10.Lincoln
Meanwhile, Manchester is the city where residents are least likely to see the Northern Lights, with very high annual cloud cover (61.4%) and high light pollution.
Cities where visitors are least likely to see the Northern Lights:
1.Manchester
2. London
3.Birmingham
4. Bathroom
5. In Coventry
The Met Office’s Space Weather division confirmed that the geomagnetic disturbance was triggered by a recent solar flare that shot billions of tonnes of charged plasma towards Earth. As the storm intensifies, the ‘oval’ region of the aurora – the area around the magnetic poles where the Northern Lights are visible – expands southwards, bringing the phenomenon to much of the UK.
A Met Office spokesman said: “We are currently seeing strong geomagnetic conditions which may take observations of the Northern Lights much further south than normal. The best opportunity to see the Northern Lights will be under clear skies, away from areas of light pollution.”
Experts advise those hoping to watch the show to head to open rural or coastal areas where northern horizons are unobstructed. The best viewing times are expected to be between 9pm and midnight, when geomagnetic activity usually peaks.
Once rare for most Britons, the Northern Lights have become increasingly visible in recent months as the sun approaches the peak of its 11-year activity cycle. Scientists believe this increase in solar storms could mean more frequent aurora events in the UK by 2025.
