Met Office says northern lights could be visible in UK this weekend - where and when aurora could be visible

The Met Office says the northern lights could be visible tonight in parts of the UK this weekend, with a fast wind to bring an increased chance of auroral activity.

The forecaster says the aurora borealis could be visible in Scotland and northern England on Saturday night (18 April), and to a lesser extent on Sunday night (19 April).

The aurora forecast for the Northern Hemisphere reads: “The auroral oval is expected to remain at or near background levels until a fast wind arrives early 18 April UTC. This brings an increased chance of enhanced auroral activity Saturday night and to a lesser extent Sunday night. Aurora will be potentially visible across Scotland, perhaps northern England, and similar magnetic latitudes where skies are clear.”

The northern lights could be visible in Scotland and northern England on Saturday night (18 April), and to a lesser extent on Sunday night (19 April). | Canva / Met Office

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.