Northern lights Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve tonight

7-day outlook for Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve

Based on CME arrival predictions from NASA DONKI. Arrival times ±6 hours.

What Kp is needed here?

Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve 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 6-7 before the auroral oval expands far enough south to be visible from here.

At Kp 6-7, visibility is possible from Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve 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 Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve

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

Best time to see the northern lights in Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve

At 51°N magnetic latitude, Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve 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 Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve'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