Best way to watch the Northern Lights as Met Office confirm display could be visible in UK again tonight
Forget the holiday to the Arctic, you might be able to see the Northern Lights without even leaving the UK tonight (11 October).
Plenty of Brits have been lucky enough to see the Aurora Borealis already this weekend, with sightings up and down the nation on Friday and Saturday evenings.
But if you want a good chance of seeing them, you’ll have to hope you’re in the right place – with the right conditions, of course.
The Met Office have said the incredible phenomena will be visible tonight and tomorrow but unfortunately, they will be a ‘little weaker’.
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Usually, the lights tend to be visible near the Arctic Circle and northern Scotland. But this weekend, they’ve been seen across the likes of Wales and even as far south as Devon, Hampshire and Kent.
Social media users have already been giving us FOMO as they flood their feeds with amazing snaps of the UK skies.
So, let’s cross our fingers we can get in on the action tonight.
Forecaster Greg Dewhurst has warned: “They could be a little weaker tonight (Sunday), so most likely seen across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England.
“They may be a little stronger again on Monday night so could be seen further south into central areas.”
To get the best glimpse of them, you want a nice clear sky and somewhere that’s relatively free of light pollution.
But it’s worth keeping in mind that to the naked eye, the Northern Lights don’t tend to look as bright and vibrant as they do in the photos.
That’s where having the right camera settings comes in handy.
A Met Office spokesperson explained: "Cameras help as the long exposure allows loads of light in and enhances the colours more than the human eye can see.
"That is why you see pictures as far south as Cornwall sometimes though you’re unlikely to see it with the naked eye that far south."
Dewhurst added: Long exposure camera shots may show something each night a little further south than the above visible by eye forecast."
On your iPhone, you'll want to use 'night mode' as this will help you pick up the amazing colours best on your camera.
To check the chance of aurora actually being visible where you are, use apps like AuroraWatchUK to get alerts based on your location.
US Agency National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also has a 30-minute forecast to keep an eye on.
Basically, for the best chance, you want to be away from the city, with clear skies and the best camera settings.
Jess Battison