Scotland weather: When Northern Lights are forecast to be visible this week - Met Office aurora forecast

The Met Office says the Northern Lights could be visible in Scotland this week.

The forecaster says that a fast coronal mass ejection (CME) - a large eruption of charged matter from the Sun - left the Sun yesterday (Sunday January 18) and is expected to arrive at Earth overnight tonight (Monday January 19) or on Tuesday morning (Tuesday January 20).

This could bring the chance to see the Northern Lights, particularly across Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England, and potentially further south, though visibility will depend on the timing of its arrival.

The Met Office says the Northern Lights could be visible in Scotland this week. | Canva

Krista Hammond, Met Office Space Weather Manager, said: “There is still some uncertainty around the exact timing of the CME’s arrival, but it is expected overnight tonight or tomorrow morning. The CME is likely to result in geomagnetic storming, giving the potential to view the aurora. However, sightings are dependent on the CME arriving during hours of darkness and clear skies.

“The effects of the CME may linger into Tuesday night, with aurora sightings possible across Scotland, perhaps also Northern Ireland and northern England, where skies are clear. This is likely to wane further by Wednesday night, perhaps with some glimpses possible from the far north of Scotland.”

Storms of this size are common during this stage of the Sun’s solar cycle and can create opportunities to see the Northern Lights, weather permitting.

The Met Office aurora forecast for the Northern Hemisphere reads: “A Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) which left the Sun on 18 Jan is expected to arrive either late on 19 Jan or early on 20 Jan (UTC). G2-G3/Moderate-Strong storms are likely with a chance of G4/Severe Storm intervals. This is likely to bring aurora across Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England, and potentially further south, though visibility will depend on the timing of its arrival and cloud cover.”

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.

What time should I look for the Northern Lights?

The best sightings of the Northern Lights are when the skies are darkest - normally around midnight.