Aurora forecast for the UK tonight

Tonight’s UK aurora forecast: can I see the northern lights?

Unlikely. The forecast peaks at Kp 2.3 tonight. The aurora usually needs Kp 5 or more to be seen from northern Scotland.

Kp forecast from NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, refreshed every 15 minutes.

Kp 0.7
Now · Quiet
Kp 2.3
Tonight's peak · Quiet

Where could it be seen?

· Kp

Coloured glow: aurora may show low on the northern horizon under clear, dark skies. Dashed lines mark Kp 5 to 9.

Three-day Kp forecast

Each bar is a 3-hour slot (UK time); shaded columns are night. Tap a bar to show it on the map.

Kp 3 Kp 5 · N Scotland Kp 7 Sun 19:00 — Kp 1.3 Sun 22:00 — Kp 1.7 Mon 01:00 — Kp 2.3 Mon 19 Mon 04:00 — Kp 2 Mon 07:00 — Kp 1.3 Mon 10:00 — Kp 2.7 Mon 13:00 — Kp 3 Mon 16:00 — Kp 3.7 Mon 19:00 — Kp 4.7 Mon 22:00 — Kp 4.3 Tue 01:00 — Kp 4.3 Tue 20 Tue 04:00 — Kp 4.7 Tue 07:00 — Kp 3.7 Tue 10:00 — Kp 3 Tue 13:00 — Kp 3 Tue 16:00 — Kp 3 Tue 19:00 — Kp 3.3 Tue 22:00 — Kp 3.7 Wed 01:00 — Kp 3.3 Wed 21

Next three nights

Tonight 18 Oct
Kp 2.3
peak around 01:00
Unlikely anywhere in the UK
Tomorrow night 19 Oct
Kp 4.7
peak around 19:00
Unlikely anywhere in the UK
Tuesday night 20 Oct
Kp 3.7
peak around 22:00
Unlikely anywhere in the UK

Live auroral oval

NOAA OVATION aurora forecast for the northern hemisphere
NOAA's OVATION model for the next 30 to 90 minutes. Green to red shows a rising chance of aurora overhead.

How far south can you see the aurora?

Kp 5+Northern Scotland, Orkney and Shetland
Kp 6+All of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England
Kp 7+Northern Wales, the Midlands and Lincolnshire
Kp 8+Most of England and Wales
Kp 9The whole of the UK, down to the south coast

A rough guide for clear, dark skies looking north. Cloud and street lights matter as much as Kp.

Northern lights questions

Can I see the northern lights in the UK tonight?

It depends on the Kp index and on clear, dark skies. Kp 5 or more brings the aurora within sight of northern Scotland; Kp 7 or more can reach the Midlands and Wales. This aurora forecast shows tonight's Kp and how far south that reaches.

What Kp do you need to see the aurora in the UK?

Kp 5 for northern Scotland, Kp 6 for the rest of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England, Kp 7 for the Midlands and north Wales, and Kp 8 to 9 for southern England.

Where is the best place to see the northern lights in the UK?

Somewhere dark with a clear view north: the Scottish Highlands, Orkney, Shetland, Northumberland, the North York Moors and high ground such as hilltops in a dark-sky park. Get away from street lights and look low on the northern horizon.

What time is best to see the aurora in the UK?

Usually between about 10pm and 2am, when the sky is fully dark. The aurora often shows on a phone camera before the eye can see it.

Planning a night out? See the UK astronomy calendar for meteor showers and eclipses, or pick a high, dark summit from the Scottish Highlands.