Northern Lights dazzle UK after being supercharged by solar storm
Stargazers across the UK were treated to a rare glimpse of the Northern Lights last night.
Its arrival came after a huge solar storm hit the Earth yesterday, with the enhanced solar activity potentially supercharging the Aurora Borealis.
Combined with clear skies, give people as far down as southern England and Wales – as well as those up in Scotland – a rare chance to experience the stunning display.
Sightings were recorded last night in Whitley Bay on the north east coast, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Wokingham in Berkshire.
Kathleen Cunnea, in Great Horkesley, Essex, said: ‘It was absolutely stunning to see.’
Krista Hammond, Met Office space weather manager, said: ‘If conditions are right there’s a good chance of sightings on Friday night.
‘Aurora visibility may persist through Saturday night, but as it stands this is likely to be less widespread than on Friday night with northern parts of the UK most likely to continue to have the best viewing potential.’
A severe geomagnetic storm watch was put out by the US’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration yesterday – the first such warning since January 2005.
At that time, the highest dose of radiation in 50 years hit the earth.
The ‘unusual’ solar storm may disrupt electronic devices like GPS and power grids over the two hours it takes to reach its peak strength.
A series of solar flares released large volumes of plasma on the sun, sparking the warning after they were spotted on Wednesday.
The effects could be soon as early this afternoon as the expulsions of matter and magnetic field cause geomagnetic storms that could harm living creatures on earth.
It may even ‘wipe out the internet’ in some areas, of which the NOAA has warned internet providers about.
A spokesperson for Energy Networks Association, which represents the UK’s electricity networks, said: ‘The energy industry plans for a range of events far and wide – including into space.
‘We’re monitoring the space weather forecast carefully.’
Meanwhile, down here on Earth this week’s glorious sunshine is expected to be washed away in thunderstorms come Sunday.
Forecasters said the UK recorded its highest temperature of the year on Thursday, with a peak of 24.6C in London’s St James’s Park, and it is set to get hotter.
Highs of 26C are predicted for the South East on Saturday with the possibility of temperatures rising to 27C on Sunday, but there is also the potential for intense rainfall.
Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said: ‘There is a change on the way. Sunday could well be the warmest day, despite a more unsettled period.’
Two yellow weather warnings are in place for thunderstorms on Sunday – one for western parts of Northern Ireland from 11am until 7pm and the other covering a large part of England and Wales from 12pm until 10pm.
Mr Dixon said: ‘There is the potential for travel disruption and rainfall events as part of the thundery systems. Some intense downpours are possible, with the potential for up to 30mm of rain in less than an hour or 40-50mm over a couple of hours, which could lead to surface water issues.
‘As we move into next week it’s looking like a return to an unsettled period of weather for the UK with frequent rain through the early part of next week.’
Will we see the Northern Lights again tonight?
A Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon said the Saturday night could well see similar conditions – but exactly where is still unknown.
We still have to work out some details on where exactly that will be,’ Mr Dixon told ITV.
The same conditions, combined with clear skies and the enhanced activity from the sun reaching Earth would improve the chances of seeing the display, he added.
In terms of timings, usually the best period to get a chance of seeing the Norther Lights is generally 10pm and 2am.
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