Northern Lights 'likely' again tonight in Scotland…

Northern Lights 'likely' again tonight in Scotland after most magical display in years

Scotland was treated to one of the UK's most mesmerising displays of the Northern Lights in years last night (Sunday, February 26). And they are "likely" to be seen again tonight (Monday, February 27), the Met Office has said.

Last night's Aurora Borealis show across Scotland will live long in many people's memories. But other parts of the UK also had rare glimpses of the phenomenon caused by electrically charged particles from space entering the Earth's upper atmosphere at high speed.

There were reports of the dancing neon-like lights being spotted as far south in England as Sussex, Wiltshire and even Cornwall, reports Wales Online.

Stunning photos have also emerged in Wales, at New Quay in Ceredigion, Welshpool in Powys and in Snowdonia National Park. However, Scotland's display was by far the best in the UK.

And the Met Office said that the Aurora Borealis could reappear in all its glory again tonight (Monday). In a tweet shared just before 6.30pm yesterday, the Met Office said: "The Aurora Borealis may be visible as far south as central England tonight where skies remain clear. The Northern Lights are also likely to be seen again on Monday night."

The Met Office later confirmed that there had been many sightings across the UK. In a tweet shortly before midnight, the weather forecasting service used quite technical language to explain the occurrence, saying: "A coronal hole high speed stream arrived this evening combined with a rather fast coronal mass ejection leading to Aurora sightings across the UK."

But it also said the lights could well appear again over England tonight. A Met Office map showing places where the natural display might be seen showed the tip of Scotland tinged with red from about 9pm, indicating a "100 per cent probability" of the aurora.

Meteorologists from the office said: "The lights generally extend from 50 miles to as high as 400 miles above the Earth's surface. The best conditions to view the lights are when the sky is dark and clear of any clouds.

"Ideally, the lights will be best viewed away from any light pollution, in remote areas, facing the northern horizon — north facing coasts produce some of the best viewing locations. The northern lights are most active during the Equinox and Solstice in March/April and September/October.

"Predominantly the northern lights are best viewed in Scotland, North England, North Wales and Northern Ireland. However, under severe space weather conditions, the lights can be seen throughout the UK."

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