Northern lights in Antrim tonight
Northern Ireland · 55° magnetic latitude · Kp 5-6 threshold
Kp 1 is well below the Kp 5-6 threshold needed for aurora to be visible from Antrim.
7-day outlook for Antrim
Based on CME arrival predictions from NASA DONKI. Arrival times ±6 hours.
auroratonight.space
What Kp is needed here?
Antrim sits at a magnetic latitude of approximately 55°N. The Kp index - a global measure of geomagnetic activity on a scale from 0 (quiet) to 9 (extreme storm), updated every 3 hours - needs to reach Kp 5-6 before the auroral oval expands far enough south to be visible from here.
At Kp 5-6, visibility is possible from Antrim but skies need to be clear and dark. Cloud cover and light pollution remain the main obstacles even when Kp is high enough.
Best dark sky sites near Antrim
Light pollution is the biggest obstacle after cloud cover. These sites give you the best dark northern horizon within reach.
Antrim Plateau Dark Sky Park
Get directions ↗A designated Dark Sky Park covering the Antrim hills and glens above the Causeway Coast. The plateau gives Bortle 3-4 conditions across a large area with open north-facing views toward Scotland. One of the best aurora sites in Northern Ireland.
Glenariff Forest Park
Get directions ↗The "Queen of the Glens" - the largest of the Antrim Glens. The upper forest and plateau above Glenariff give elevated north-facing sky access within the Dark Sky Park designation. Forest car parks give night access.
Trostan summit
Get directions ↗The highest point on the Antrim Plateau at 550 m. Open moorland with 360-degree views and north-facing sky over the North Channel toward Scotland. Accessible via minor roads from Cushendall.
Lough Neagh north shore
Get directions ↗The north shore of Lough Neagh between Antrim town and Toome gives open water views facing north across the lough. Dark agricultural land with minimal development on the north shore. About 20 minutes from Antrim town.
Best time to see the northern lights in Antrim
At 55°N magnetic latitude, Antrim sits at the lower end of regular aurora territory. Only the deep mid-winter months of November through January offer nights dark enough for aurora to be visible, and only then when a significant geomagnetic storm pushes the auroral oval this far south.
Activity peaks around the September and March equinoxes, when Earth's magnetic field geometry is most favourable for coupling with the solar wind. Events during these two windows tend to produce the strongest displays of the year for observers at Antrim's latitude.
Outside November through January, twilight is too bright for aurora viewing even during significant storms. The season is short, but the equinox months on either side of winter can extend it slightly when storm timing aligns.
Other UK aurora forecasts
Up to 8 locations
How often does the aurora appear in Antrim?
Average nights per month the Kp reached Antrim's threshold of 5+, from 15 years of geomagnetic data (2010–2024).
Counts the Kp 5+ threshold only - cloud cover and local darkness are not included.
Kp data: GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, CC BY 4.0
Plan your trip to Antrim
Best window
The February to April window averages 4 aurora nights - the strongest consecutive stretch of the year.
How long to stay
Aurora at this latitude requires patience - allow as many nights as possible during March.
Related pages
Northern Lights UK
Live aurora forecast hub for all UK regions.
Read →Northern Lights Northern Ireland Tonight
Northern Ireland-wide aurora forecast.
Read →Northern Lights Belfast Tonight
Belfast is south with Cave Hill and the Mourne Mountains.
Read →Northern Lights Derry Tonight
Derry is west with the Sperrin Mountains and Atlantic coast.
Read →What Is the Kp Index?
What Kp 5-6 means for viewing at 55°N magnetic latitude.
Read →Aurora photographs from Antrim
Real photos sourced from Wikimedia Commons.
Aurora over Antrim 
Aurora over Antrim 
Aurora over Antrim 
Aurora over Antrim 
Aurora over Antrim 
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