2 days ago
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Image source, BBC Weather Watchers / Ruth Davies
Northern Lights above Denbighshire on New Year's Day
Simon King
Lead Weather Presenter
The first day of 2025 has brought a stunning display of the Northern Lights across the UK.
From northern Scotland to South Wales, the bright colours of the aurora were visible after a strong solar storm.
With activity on the Sun recently reaching a peak, there should be more opportunities to catch the aurora throughout 2025.
As always, BBC Weather Watchers were out in force last night to send us their pictures.
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers / Jonny Gios
Image caption,Keswick, Cumbria
Solar activity increased on New Year's Eve with a geomagnetic storm sending bursts of energy - charged particles - directed towards Earth.
These eventually entered our atmosphere on Wednesday evening where interactions with oxygen and nitrogen create the vivid colours of the aurora.
With it being a particularly strong geomagnetic storm, the Northern Lights travel further from the poles to lower latitudes across the UK.
The Met Office Space Weather Centre forecasts suggest that with another eruption of charged particles expected to reach Earth over the weekend, there'll be another opportunity to see the Northern Lights.
Cloud permitting of course.
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers / Tammys pics
Image caption,Leek, Staffordshire
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers / Jenneebee
Image caption,Aurora was seen as far south as South Wales on New Year's Day
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers / R Westerman
Image caption,Stunning ribbon of aurora in Argyll and Bute
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers / Jack March
Image caption,Lairg, Highland
Image source, BBC Weather Watchers / Jeannie
Image caption,Mid Yell, Shetland Islands
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