Northern Lights may be visible over Scotland amid geomagnetic storm

Scotland could be treated to a display of the Aurora Borealis, with enhanced geomagnetic activity forecast to continue through Saturday.

According to the latest Space Weather Update, up to two Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) are expected to reach Earth, potentially triggering visible aurora displays where skies are clear.

While the best chance of sightings will be across northern Scotland, the aurora could also be visible from parts of northern England and Northern Ireland, with a slight chance of reaching as far south as Wales and the Midlands.

The report also suggests that geomagnetic activity could persist into Sunday and possibly through the early part of next week, although visibility is less certain.

The region of the sun responsible for these CMEs remains in a position capable of producing further Earth-directed eruptions, meaning the potential for enhanced aurora activity could continue in the days ahead.

STV News meteorologist Jo Farrow said: “There will be clear skies tonight with a chance of seeing the aurora. Early evening there will still be low cloud over the far north of Scotland, including the Northern Isles. For much of mainland Scotland, it will be clear, calm and chilly this evening.

“By late evening there should be rain for Caithness and Orkney, so less chance of clear skies there. Before midnight, another frontal band will arrive from the southwest, bringing more cloud to Dumfries and Galloway and the Inner Hebrides.

“By the wee hours, it will just be northern and eastern parts of the mainland with clear skies — and it will be chilly here.

“The main issue is the Supermoon; even though we are now three nights past the full moon, it’s still so bright in the sky. If the aurora does appear, it will have to battle against the moonlight to be seen.”

The best chances of catching a glimpse of the aurora are expected later this evening in northern and eastern Scotland, away from city lights, and where skies remain clear.