A significant solar flare, known as a coronal mass ejection (CME), is en route to Earth and may cause the Aurora Borealis to be visible in parts of the UK, including potentially Wales. The CME departed the Sun on January 18th and is expected to reach Earth late on January 19th or early on January 20th, UTC. This could lead to moderate to strong geomagnetic storming, with a chance of severe storm intervals, potentially making the Northern Lights visible across Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern England, and possibly extending to more southerly regions.
The Met Office has indicated that the peak viewing time is likely around 4 am on Tuesday morning, suggesting this as the optimal window. However, visibility will heavily depend on the CME's arrival timing aligning with darkness and clear skies. Unfortunately, current weather charts predict substantial cloud and rain coverage across the UK on Tuesday evening, which may significantly hinder viewing opportunities. For those hoping to see the aurora, the Met Office advises finding locations with minimal artificial light pollution and looking towards the northern horizon.