Met office says Northern Lights could be visible in UK this week - where and when aurora may be visible

The Met Office says the northern lights could be visible from parts of the UK this week.

According to the forecaster, the aurora borealis could be visible down to northern England and similar latitudes on Tuesday (March 31), with the chance of “brief glimpses” from the far north of Scotland and similar latitudes on Wednesday (April 1) and/or Thursday (April 2).

The Met Office’s aurora forecast for the northern hemisphere reads: “The aurora is expected to remain at background levels at first. A Coronal Mass Ejection arrival expected around Tuesday midday UTC will likely see some enhancement of the auroral oval, but arriving during UK daylight hours will limit viewings. A late arrival, or lingering influence, could see aurora into the evening down to northern England, and similar latitudes.

The Met Office says the northern lights could be visible from parts of the UK this week. | Canva / Met Office

“A further slight enhancement is possible on Wednesday or more likely on Thursday due to the onset of a coronal hole high speed stream. This could allow for some brief glimpses from the far north of Scotland, and similar latitudes.”

Where exactly are the northern lights?

The northern lights form in an oval around the North Pole in an area called the “auroral zone".

Areas in the “auroral zone” include north Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, the north of American state Alaska, and northern Siberia, in Russia.

What month is best to see the northern lights?

The best months to see the northern lights are September to late March, as these months have the longest dark hours and best viewing conditions.

Where in the UK can you see the northern lights?

The best places to see the northern lights in the UK are Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern England. However, they have on occasion been spotted in the south of England.