Aurora Tonight
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Northern lights Bristol tonight

Bristol sits at ~51°N magnetic latitude. Kp 7+ is the threshold. The Mendip Hills are 25 minutes south; Exmoor and the Brecon Beacons are within 70 minutes and both hold International Dark Sky Reserve status.

Aurora visibility — Bristol

Unlikely tonight

Kp 1 is well below the Kp 7+ threshold needed for aurora to be visible from Bristol.

Current Kp

1

of 9

Threshold for Bristol: Kp 7+ Magnetic latitude: ~51°N Updated: 10 May, 11:05 UTC

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

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

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

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

About 90 minutes south-west of Bristol. The high granite moorland gives Bortle 3-4 conditions with very dark north-facing views. Too far for a casual evening trip, but excellent for a planned overnight stay during elevated geomagnetic activity.

Other UK aurora forecasts

UK overview Brecon Beacons Cardiff Wales

Related pages

Northern Lights UK

Live aurora forecast hub for all UK regions.

Northern Lights Brecon Beacons Tonight

The nearest International Dark Sky Reserve to Bristol.

Northern Lights Cardiff Tonight

Cardiff is north-west of Bristol with similar dark sky options.

What Is the Kp Index?

Why Kp 7+ is needed at 51°N magnetic latitude.

Best Time to See Northern Lights UK

When extreme geomagnetic storms producing south England aurora are most likely.

Common questions

Aurora watching from Bristol and the South-West.

Can you see the northern lights from Bristol?
During major geomagnetic storms (Kp 8-9) aurora has been observed from Bristol's higher viewpoints such as Clifton Down. At Kp 7, the Mendip Hills 25 minutes south or the Brecon Beacons 60-70 minutes north give substantially better conditions for a display.
What Kp is needed for aurora near Bristol?
Kp 7+ from dark sites near Bristol. The city sits at ~51°N magnetic latitude, requiring a strong geomagnetic storm. The Mendip Hills are the quickest escape from city light pollution. The Brecon Beacons and Exmoor are better for genuine dark sky conditions at Kp 7.
Which is better for aurora - Exmoor or the Brecon Beacons from Bristol?
The Brecon Beacons are marginally closer (60-70 min vs 70 min for Exmoor) and give the same dark sky reserve status. Both are International Dark Sky Reserves. The Beacons give higher altitude on the central plateau; Exmoor gives the north Devon coast. For a north-facing horizon, the Beacons are slightly better.
Are the Mendip Hills good enough for aurora?
The Mendips give Bortle 4 conditions - significantly better than Bristol but not as dark as Exmoor or the Beacons. For Kp 7 they are a practical choice: 25 minutes from the city, elevated at 250-300 m, and dark enough for a northern arc to be visible on a clear night. For Kp 8+ they are a perfectly reasonable site.
When was aurora last seen from Bristol?
The May 2024 geomagnetic storm (Kp 9) produced aurora that was reported across Bristol and the South-West, including from the Mendips and Exmoor. The September 2023 event was also visible from dark sites. These extreme events are the main opportunity for aurora at Bristol's latitude.