Northern Lights 'likely to be visible' from UK on Saturday, predicts Met Office

The Met Office has said that there is a "strong chance" that the Northern Lights will be visible in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern England this Saturday, October 5

Stargazers across Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern England are in for a celestial treat this weekend as the Met Office predicts an increased chance of witnessing the awe-inspiring Northern Lights. The forecasters have observed a recent surge in solar activity, which enhances the probability of the aurora borealis making a grand appearance.

The Met Office announced that Saturday, October 5, presents 'the greatest likelihood of aurora being visible', adding that there had been a "strong flare" and a coronal mass ejection (CME), raising the prospects for those keen to witness the heavenly spectacle. The forecaster stated: "Aurora activity is expected to increase this weekend, leading to aurora potentially being visible across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England where skies are clear. Saturday night has the greatest likelihood of aurora being visible, with a chance that aurora may be visible further south, across central England and similar latitudes."

The Met Office also provided details on the recent solar events, noting: "Solar activity has been High, with the background level solar activity just below Moderate Class level and several M-class flares occurring. The largest flare was a Strong flare observed at 03/1218 UTC, which originated from a geomagnetically complex region near south-centre disc."

Aurora watchers could be in for a spectacular display, say the experts: "A filament eruption (arc of plasma material) was observed 03/0630 UTC in coronagraph imagery, close to a sunspot region located near the northeast limb. This has produced a coronal mass ejection (CME) off the northeast limb, which has been analysed as missing Earth. The arrival of another CME, from Oct 3, is more confidence, arriving either late on the 5th or early on Oct 6."

This surety will be what those keen on aurora displays might need for a memorable sight this weekend. There have been numerous occasions over recent months when the aurora made an appearance, reports the Express.

In May, for instance, the phenomenon was seen across the UK—a sight typically reserved for those in the northern regions. An "extreme" geomagnetic storm in May meant observers as far south as Berkshire and Kent got a glimpse of the lights.

Clear skies are what enthusiasts will be hoping for this coming weekend to fully enjoy the potential light show.