Aurora Tonight
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Northern lights Derry tonight

Derry sits at ~54°N magnetic latitude with Atlantic coast access via Magiligan Point and the Sperrin Mountains inland. Kp 5-6 is the threshold. The Inishowen Peninsula 40 minutes north gives the most northerly accessible coast in Ireland.

Aurora visibility — Derry

Unlikely tonight

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

Current Kp

1

of 9

Threshold for Derry: Kp 5-6 Magnetic latitude: ~54°N Updated: 10 May, 11:03 UTC

What Kp is needed here?

Derry 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 Derry 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 Derry

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

Sperrin Mountains

A remote mountain range south-east of Derry in the heart of Northern Ireland. The Sperrins give genuinely dark skies with Bortle 3-4 conditions and open north-facing moorland. The Glenshane Pass and the hills above Dungiven are accessible from Derry in about 40 minutes.

Magiligan Point

The flat sand spit at the mouth of Lough Foyle, north of Derry. Open north-west-facing beach with Donegal to the west and the open Atlantic beyond. Very dark with minimal coastal development north of the point. About 25 minutes from Derry.

Inishowen Peninsula, Co. Donegal

Directly north of Derry across the Irish border, the Inishowen Peninsula gives the most northerly accessible land in Ireland. The north coast around Malin Head faces north into the open Atlantic at around 55°N latitude. About 40-50 minutes from Derry.

Lough Foyle shoreline

The east shore of Lough Foyle north of Derry gives open north-facing water views toward the Atlantic mouth of the lough. Dark farmland with minimal coastal development gives Bortle 4-5 conditions.

Other UK aurora forecasts

UK overview Northern Ireland Belfast Antrim

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 Belfast Tonight

Belfast is east with the Antrim coast and Mourne Mountains.

Northern Lights Antrim Tonight

Antrim Dark Sky Park is in north-east Northern Ireland.

What Is the Kp Index?

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

Common questions

Aurora watching from Derry and north-west Northern Ireland.

Is Derry a good place for aurora watching?
Derry is well-positioned for aurora. The city sits at ~54°N magnetic latitude with the Sperrin Mountains to the south-east and the open Atlantic coast nearby. Magiligan Point on Lough Foyle faces north-west and is one of the most accessible dark coastal spots near any Northern Irish city.
What Kp is needed for aurora near Derry?
Kp 5-6 from dark sites such as Magiligan Point, the Sperrin Mountains, or the Inishowen Peninsula. Derry is at ~54°N magnetic latitude, the same band as Belfast and Carlisle. At Kp 5, a display is possible from genuinely dark sky sites near the city.
Is Malin Head in Ireland accessible from Derry for aurora?
Yes. Malin Head on the Inishowen Peninsula is about 40-50 minutes north of Derry by road across the Irish border. It is the most northerly point of Ireland at ~55°N latitude and faces north into the open Atlantic. Aurora at Kp 5 is regularly visible from Malin Head on clear nights.
Where exactly should I go from Derry for aurora?
Magiligan Point is the closest dark coastal site at 25 minutes north. The Sperrin Mountains give a completely different landscape - dark moorland at altitude - and are about 40 minutes south-east via the A6. For the most northerly position, the Inishowen Peninsula coast at Malin Head is a 50-minute drive across into Donegal.
How does Derry compare to Belfast for aurora watching?
Very similar latitude and threshold. Derry may have a slight advantage due to its position further west and north on the peninsula, with easier access to the open Atlantic coast and the Inishowen Peninsula. Belfast is closer to the Mourne Mountains. Both have good aurora prospects at Kp 5-6 from dark sites.