Northern lights in Bristol tonight
South-West England · 51° magnetic latitude · Kp 7+ threshold
Kp 1 is well below the Kp 7+ threshold needed for aurora to be visible from Bristol.
7-day outlook for Bristol
Based on CME arrival predictions from NASA DONKI. Arrival times ±6 hours.
auroratonight.space
What Kp is needed here?
Bristol sits at a magnetic latitude of approximately 51°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 7+ before the auroral oval expands far enough south to be visible from here.
At Kp 7+, visibility is possible from Bristol 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 Bristol
Light pollution is the biggest obstacle after cloud cover. These sites give you the best dark northern horizon within reach.
Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve
Get directions ↗An International Dark Sky Reserve about 70 minutes south-west of Bristol via the M5. The high moorland around Exford and Simonsbath gives Bortle 3 conditions with open northern views. One of England's best dark sky sites for aurora at southern latitudes.
Mendip Hills AONB
Get directions ↗About 25 minutes south of Bristol. The Mendip plateau around Priddy and the area above Cheddar Gorge gives elevated north-facing positions with Bortle 4 conditions. The quickest dark sky escape from Bristol.
Brecon Beacons International Dark Sky Reserve
Get directions ↗About 60-70 minutes north of Bristol via the A449. The reserve gives Bortle 3 conditions on the high Beacons. The best overall sky quality accessible from Bristol during a Kp 7+ forecast.
Dartmoor National Park
Get directions ↗About 90 minutes south-west of Bristol. The high granite moorland gives Bortle 3-4 conditions with dark north-facing views. Too far for a casual evening trip, but excellent for a planned overnight stay during elevated geomagnetic activity.
Best time to see the northern lights in Bristol
At 51°N magnetic latitude, Bristol 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 Bristol'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.
Up to 8 locations
How often does the aurora appear in Bristol?
Average nights per month the Kp reached Bristol's threshold of 7+, from 15 years of geomagnetic data (2010–2024).
Counts the Kp 7+ 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 Bristol
Best window
The January to March window averages 0 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 January.
Related pages
Northern Lights UK
Live aurora forecast hub for all UK regions.
Read →Northern Lights Brecon Beacons Tonight
The nearest International Dark Sky Reserve to Bristol.
Read →Northern Lights Cardiff Tonight
Cardiff is north-west of Bristol with similar dark sky options.
Read →What Is the Kp Index?
Why Kp 7+ is needed at 51°N magnetic latitude.
Read →Best Time to See Northern Lights UK
When extreme geomagnetic storms producing south England aurora are most likely.
Read →Aurora photographs from Bristol
Real photos sourced from Wikimedia Commons.
Aurora over Bristol 
Aurora over Bristol 
Aurora over Bristol 
Aurora over Bristol 
Aurora over Bristol 
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