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Northern lights Belfast tonight

Belfast sits at ~54°N magnetic latitude. Kp 5-6 is the threshold from dark sites. Cave Hill is directly above the city; the Antrim coast and Mourne Mountains give proper dark sky conditions within 30-50 minutes.

Aurora visibility — Belfast

Unlikely tonight

Kp 1 is well below the Kp 5-6 threshold needed for aurora to be visible from Belfast.

Current Kp

1

of 9

Threshold for Belfast: Kp 5-6 Magnetic latitude: ~54°N Updated: 10 May, 11:04 UTC

What Kp is needed here?

Belfast sits at a magnetic latitude of approximately 54°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 Belfast 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 Belfast

Light pollution is the biggest obstacle after cloud cover. These sites give you the best dark northern horizon within reach.

Mourne Mountains

An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty about 50 minutes south of Belfast. The high granite peaks above Rostrevor and Kilkeel give elevated north-facing positions with very dark skies. Silent Valley and the Kilbroney Forest area are popular starting points.

Antrim Plateau and coast

North of Belfast along the A2 Causeway Coastal Route. The plateau above Glenarm and Carnlough gives open sky facing north over the North Channel toward Scotland. About 30-40 minutes from the city.

Strangford Lough

The large sea lough south-east of Belfast. The east shore above Portaferry gives an open eastern sky. The Ards Peninsula north of Portaferry is dark and faces north-east over the Irish Sea with minimal development.

Cave Hill Country Park

The basalt escarpment directly above Belfast. The summit at 368 m gives a clear northern horizon. Very accessible - the car park at the foot gives a 30-minute walk to the top. Best for strong events (Kp 6+) when the aurora is high enough to be visible through the city light dome.

Other UK aurora forecasts

UK overview Northern Ireland Antrim Derry

Related pages

Northern Lights UK

Live aurora forecast hub for all UK regions.

Northern Lights Northern Ireland Tonight

Northern Ireland-wide aurora forecast.

Northern Lights Antrim Tonight

Antrim Dark Sky Park is north of Belfast.

Northern Lights Derry Tonight

Derry is north-west with the Sperrin Mountains dark sky area.

What Is the Kp Index?

What Kp 5-6 means for viewing from Northern Ireland.

Common questions

Aurora watching from Belfast and Northern Ireland.

Can you see the northern lights from Belfast?
From Cave Hill above the city, yes during strong events (Kp 6+). At Kp 5, driving 30 minutes to the Antrim coast or the Mourne Mountains gives much better conditions. Belfast sits at ~54°N magnetic latitude - the same band as Newcastle and Carlisle - which gives reasonable aurora frequency during elevated solar activity.
What Kp is needed for aurora near Belfast?
Kp 5-6 from dark sites such as the Antrim coast, Mourne Mountains, or Strangford Lough. Belfast is at ~54°N magnetic latitude and the auroral oval reaches to Belfast latitudes during moderate geomagnetic storms. During strong events (Kp 6+), aurora is visible from many locations around the city.
Where is the best place near Belfast to see the northern lights?
The Antrim Plateau north of the city gives the best combination of distance and dark sky quality. The coast above Glenarm and the Antrim coast road give open North Channel views facing Scotland. The Mournes are excellent but 50 minutes south. Cave Hill is the closest elevated viewpoint but affected by city light.
Is Northern Ireland good for aurora compared to mainland UK?
Northern Ireland sits at 54-55°N magnetic latitude - higher than most of northern England and comparable to the Scottish borders. The combination of ocean to the north and west, low population density outside Belfast, and modest light pollution gives good aurora conditions. The Antrim Plateau dark sky designation is a significant asset.
How often is aurora visible from Belfast?
At solar maximum, several times per year from dark sites at Kp 5+. The May 2024 storm was clearly visible across Northern Ireland including from Belfast suburbs. The west-facing coasts of Antrim and the north-eastern coast give the clearest northern horizon for regular events.