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The largest solar storm in over two decades could hit the UK tonight, experts have revealed, triggering a spectacular Northern Lights show.
Forecasters say a coronal mass ejection (CME) is expected to arrive this evening, prompting a stunning light display.
It marks the second night in a row that Earth has been bombarded with huge bursts of charged particles from the Sun, which interact with our planet's atmosphere and create the colourful light displays.
Photographs taken last night show skies over Whitley Bay, Northamptonshire, and Sunderland lit up in breathtaking green and red hues.
Dubbed a ‘cannibal storm’, tonight’s event will feed off the first – resulting in potentially the largest solar storm since UK records began.
Geomagnetic storms are categorised from ‘minor’ G1 to ‘extreme’ G5 events. The British Geological Survey (BGS) has upgraded its forecast to the highest intensity level for tonight.
Unfortunately the Met Office said cloud cover 'is expected to inhibit ideal viewing conditions for many parts' – but there is still a chance to spot the lights during clear intervals. Scroll down to see if the Northern Lights will be visible in your city tonight.
The solar flare that erupted from the Sun on early Tuesday morning was identified as the largest in 2025 so far. It came from sunspot AR4274, which has been highly active in recent days, producing two other significant flares on November 9 and 10.
Geomagnetic storms – even at this severe level – are not dangerous for humans on Earth because we are protected by the atmosphere.
Geomagnetic storms – even at this severe level – are not dangerous for humans on Earth because we are protected by the atmosphere.
However it could disrupt satellites, power grids and some electronic devices such as mobile phones.
‘Space weather can have a real impact on the lives of people across the planet,’ Dr Gemma Richardson, BGS Geomagnetic Hazard Specialist, said.
‘BGS records real-time data of geomagnetic conditions, underpinning the national forecast service.
‘Our data suggests that this event could be one of the biggest storms we’ve seen in 20 years.’
Based on satellite observations, the BGS say they anticipate tonight’s event will be significant, as early indications such as ground measurements of solar energetic particles are some of the largest recorded since 2005.
According to the National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an ‘extreme’ storm of this magnitude could cause widespread voltage control problems while some grid systems may experience complete collapse or blackouts.
'The Northern Lights are caused by eruptions from the Sun hitting Earth and their interactions with the Earth's magnetic field and particles in the atmosphere,' Dr Stephanie Yardley, solar physicist at Northumbria University told the Daily Mail.
'Currently, there are three eruptions on their way to Earth, the first arriving last night and the last – probably the most intense one – to hit either today or tomorrow.
'These intense storm conditions are fairly rare, only a few times per 11–year solar activity cycle, and we briefly reached G5 (extreme) geomagnetic storm conditions last night.
'We should expect severe geomagnetic storm conditions and displays of the northern lights to continue for the next few days.'
Dr Yardley caught a stunning photograph of the skies above Newcastle and shared it on X in the early hours of this morning, adding: 'This is not a drill! Go outside!'
'To see the aurora you need cloud free skies away from light pollution and need to look north,' she explained.
'Although, during the most energetic displays and depending on your location you may need to look overhead or to the south.
'If you can't see the aurora with your naked eye you can take long exposure shots in night mode on your phone camera.'
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