Dateline: Wednesday, 12 November 2025
The aurora borealis is on the cards again tonight across the UK and Ireland thanks to a run of powerful solar eruptions. Forecasters warn that while geomagnetic conditions could reach severe to extreme levels, cloud will be the main spoiler for many, with the best breaks most likely in the far north of Scotland and, at times, southeast England. Ireland sees rain easing south of a band lingering across Ulster and north Connacht. Expect a dynamic night where space weather is lively and surface weather decides who actually gets the show.
TL;DR (Tonight, Wed 12 Nov)
- Space weather: Multiple CMEs are hitting Earth. The UK Met Office has G4–G5 geomagnetic storm watches (12:00 UTC Wed 12 → 23:59 UTC Thu 13). NOAA confirms G4 (Severe) watch and has already logged G4 levels early today. Translation: if skies clear, aurora could reach far beyond Scotland.
- Cloud cover: Most of the UK is cloudy; best breaks: far north of Scotland or southeast England. Northern Ireland: cloudy with persistent rain overnight. Republic of Ireland: rain clears most areas overnight but continues across Ulster and north Connacht.
- When to look: 22:00–02:00 local time is statistically prime; activity can flare anytime if the storm peaks.
- Moon: Last Quarter (~47% illuminated), rising around midnight—early evening is darker, later hours have some moonlight.
What changed today (12 Nov) — the key space‑weather updates
- Met Office (UK) issued G4 and G5 storm watches through late Thursday, plus an aurora forecast noting widespread cloud tonight with best breaks in far north Scotland or the southeast. They report two CMEs arrived late on the 11th, with another expected today, capable of pushing activity to very high levels.
- NOAA SWPC (US) posted a G4 (Severe) watch for 12 Nov and confirmed G4 levels were reached overnight, with storming likely to continue into tonight.
- British Geological Survey (BGS) logged a G4 global storm in the early hours and UK‑local G5 conditions at observatories, calling it the largest induced geoelectric field in UK records since 2012. Another full‑halo CME from 11 Nov is expected to intensify conditions tonight.
- Across Ireland and Europe, last night’s sky lit up from Donegal to Dublin and as far south as Austria; more is possible tonight subject to cloud.
UK & Ireland Aurora Forecast for Tonight (Wed 12 Nov)
Scotland
- Odds: Highest nationally—especially the far north (Shetland, Orkney, Caithness)—if breaks appear.
- Cloud: A generally cloudy night with showers, but northern fringes can see clearer slots; Met Office flags far north Scotland as one of the few areas with useful breaks.
- How far south? If the incoming CME intensifies the storm towards G4–G5, aurora can dip well into northern England on a clear horizon; cameras will pick up faint structure first.
Northern England
- Odds: Conditional—geomagnetic activity is strong enough, but cloud/rain from a band over northern England may block the view. Watch coastal north‑facing spots if gaps open late.
Northern Ireland
- Odds: Poor due to persistent, sometimes heavy rain and cloud overnight. Any brief clearance would offer a chance low on the northern horizon, but forecasts keep it wet/cloudy.
Wales, Midlands & Southern England
- Odds: Low to moderate, dominated by cloud—southeast England has the best chance of breaks. If activity surges (and Bz turns sustained southward), faint glows on the northern horizon are possible in clearer gaps.
Republic of Ireland
- Odds: Mixed. Heavy rain early tonight clears northwards from most counties overnight, improving prospects in Munster and Leinster; stays rainy/cloudy in Ulster and north Connacht till morning. If you find a break further south, look low to the north.
Best Time to Look Tonight
Aurora commonly ramps up around local midnight (roughly 22:00–02:00), but with storming at G3–G4 and a possible CME impact this evening, activity can pop earlier or later. Check often, especially when clouds thin.
Moonlight: The Last Quarter Moon means ~47% illumination and a post‑midnight rise, so early evening is darker; later on, you’ll contend with some lunar glow—use it to silhouette clouds and spot clear windows.
Proven Viewing Tips (quick wins)
- Chase clear sky first, darkness second: under cloud, even G5 won’t help. Prioritise north‑facing coasts or high ground with minimal light pollution.
- Face north; be patient: aurora can pulse and fade in 10–20‑minute cycles. Give each location at least 30–45 minutes.
- Use your camera: modern phones in Night mode or a camera on a tripod (wide aperture, multi‑second exposures) will reveal colour before your eyes do.
- Mind tech impacts: strong storms can affect GNSS/GPS and HF radio—use offline maps if you’re roaming remote coasts.
Live Tools to Track Tonight’s Action
- Met Office Space Weather (UK watches, Kp warnings, aurora guidance; updated today): shows G4–G5 watches and cloud‑break notes for SE England and far north Scotland.
- NOAA SWPC (US): G4 watch in effect and G4 reached overnight; updates through the night.
- AuroraWatch UK Map (Lancaster University): real‑time UK sighting reports to confirm if anyone is seeing it near you.
Why the aurora is likely again tonight
Two CME arrivals late on the 11th super‑charged the geomagnetic field in the early hours, with UK‑local G5 levels recorded. A third, faster, Earth‑directed CME from the X5 flare on 11 Nov is expected to arrive today, keeping storm levels high into tonight. If its magnetic field points southward at arrival (a key detail), aurora can again push far south—weather permitting.
Region‑by‑Region Quick Planner
Scotland (Highlands, Islands, North Coast)
- Watch from dusk through 02:00; jump on any clear gaps. Coastal north‑facing viewpoints offer the cleanest horizons.
Northern England (Northumberland, Cumbrian coast)
- Cloud/rain bands are an issue; try late‑night edges and coastal clear slots for a low‑north glow if activity spikes.
Northern Ireland
- Low chance: cloudy with persistent rain overnight; only a brief clearance would help.
Wales, Midlands, Southern England
- Cloud‑limited; SE England gets the best odds of breaks. A camera could catch faint aurora on the northern horizon.
Republic of Ireland
- South & East (Munster/Leinster): improving late as rain clears—watch for north‑facing gaps.
- Ulster & North Connacht: rain/cloud linger; chances are poor.
What happened last night (and why that matters)
Ireland and much of Europe woke to photos of red and green curtains after the storm lit the sky overnight; similar activity is possible again tonight if the next CME lands right. That real‑world confirmation—plus today’s watches—raises confidence despite the cloud headache.
Final word
Space weather says “go”; surface weather says “maybe.” If you’re under one of the few clear slots—especially far north Scotland or a SE England gap, or southern half of Ireland after the rain edges north—give the sky time and keep checking. Activity is strong enough; it’s the clouds making this a game of patience tonight. Met Office+2Met Office+2
Sources and official guidance
Met Office Space Weather (watches, forecast & cloud‑break guidance); NOAA SWPC (G4 watch & storm levels reached); BGS Geomagnetic Storm Update (UK‑local G5 overnight & CME timing); Met Éireann National Forecast (tonight’s cloud/rain zones in Ireland); RTE/The Journal/Euronews (last night’s sightings across Ireland & Europe); Aurora viewing timing and tips (NOAA, BGS).
This article will not auto‑update. For real‑time conditions, refresh the Met Office space‑weather page, NOAA’s SWPC updates, and AuroraWatch UK’s map before heading out.
