Why 2026 could be another dazzling year for the Northern Lights
On November 11, a massive solar flare of magnitude X5.1 was observed on the Sun on a scale extending from X1 to X10 and beyond. It released a huge amount of energy towards Earth, leading to one of the best aurora borealis of the year; It has even been reported to be seen in the south of England.
While this was the most powerful eruption of 2025, it did not come close to the spectacular events of May and October 2024, when solar flares X8.8 and X9 were recorded respectively.
Solar energy activity will remain relatively high until 2026, although we are now past the peak of the current solar cycle and heading towards a “solar minimum” expected around 2031-32.
Even in a quieter year, all it takes is a massive solar flare or coronal mass ejection directed at Earth to produce a stunning Northern Lights display in the UK.
The spring and autumn equinoxes can also cause a slight increase in activity due to the alignment of the Sun and Earth; this is called the Russell-McPherron effect.
This means you’re roughly twice as likely to see an aurora around this time of year.
