The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm conditions on the evening of Thursday (Feb. 13) and high activity throughout Friday (Feb. 14), as a fast-moving solar wind stream heads for Earth.

More northern U.S. states are expected to see aurora borealis Monday night as an incoming geomagnetic storm is expected to affect Earth’s magnetic field, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The best viewing conditions are when the sky is dark and clear of any clouds, with no light pollution in remote areas, facing the northern horizon. While typically the Northern Lights are most visible in the auroral oval - a ring of light around Iceland and the polar caps, it can on occasion be witnessed in the north of the UK.

Aspiring viewers of the Northern Lights are encouraged to go as far north as possible, away from light pollution, and face the northern horizon. The best time to view the lights is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, and a high vantage point increases the likelihood of seeing the phenomena.

The Northern Lights could be visible in parts of the UK tonight, the Met Office has said. Northern and western Scotland have a good chance of seeing the aurora borealis on Wednesday night or Thursday morning. The phenomenon could appear in skies further south, but is unlikely to be visible through the clouds.

According to the Met Office, people in the Shetland Islands could expect to see the Northern Lights from around 7pm this evening, with a peak time of around 8pm. People in the northern part of the mainland could catch a glimpse of the lights from around 9pm, with the lights fading away from around 11pm tonight to 1am on Thursday.

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are usually visible in Iceland, Canada, Finland and Norway but this evening, this phenomenon could be seen in the UK tonight and tomorrow night. Compared to other years, 2024 saw a significant increase in Northern Lights being observed in the UK.