Aurora Borealis: Northern lights forecast for second dazzling display tonight

Skies were illuminated as far south as Whitley Bay on Sunday evening. Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Images

Forecasters are predicting the Northern Lights will make a second dazzling appearance in a row in Scotland and northern England.

The Aurora Borealis were visible last night from Lockerbie to Whitley Bay, despite the Met Office warning there would be too much cloud for most people to see them.

However, they predict clearer skies on Monday 24 April with "a greater chance for some good views".

  • Watch the latest Aurora Borealis forecast:

High levels of magnetic activity meant the Aurora Borealis could be seen yesterday as far south as the Channel Islands.

Others across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly were also fortunate enough to capture a glimpse of the natural phenomenon on camera.

Clearer skies tonight will hopefully give eagle-eyed people an exciting display, with activity peaking between 10pm and midnight.

Image of the Northern Lights captured in Cornwall Credit: Jason Ellway and Kit Hill

Where can you see the Northern Lights in the UK tonight?

The Northern Lights are due to be visible from Scotland and northern England tonight (24 April).

Cloud cover and light pollution may intervene - so any hopeful stargazers will want to ensure they are well away from both.

Sadly, those in the South of England are expected to struggle to see the lights tonight, unless they are in extremely remote and dark areas - such as the Brecon Beacons.

If the northern lights do appear, you will have to be facing north under clear skies for prime viewing.

Make sure your view is unobstructed by buildings, trees or hills, and that you are away from the light pollution of towns and cities. 

The stunning Northern Lights display Credit: Joel Williams

The lights will be most visible when the sky is cloudless and at its darkest - meaning between 10pm and midnight.

According to experts, it may be possible stargazers in Cambridge will catch a glimpse, but it is looking more likely for those in northern areas like Cumbria, Newcastle and Leeds.

According to the Met Office's cloud cover map, it is likely to be a cloudy night across most of Wales and southern England from 10pm.

However, it will be largely clear over Manchester, Sheffield and Newcastle.

Any clouds over north and south Wales, Birmingham and Nottingham will break apart in the early hours of Tuesday morning - meaning those in the Midlands will have ample opportunity.

What causes the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights happen when disturbances on the sun pull on the Earth's magnetic field.

Electromagnetic waves launch electrons at high speeds into the Earth's atmosphere, which creates the aurora.

These storms are short-lived periods of high geomagnetic activity.

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