Northern lights in London tonight
South East England · 51° magnetic latitude · Kp 7+ threshold
Kp 1 is well below the Kp 7+ threshold needed for aurora to be visible from London.
7-day outlook for London
Based on CME arrival predictions from NASA DONKI. Arrival times ±6 hours.
auroratonight.space
What Kp is needed here?
London 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 London 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 London
Light pollution is the biggest obstacle after cloud cover. These sites give you the best dark northern horizon within reach.
Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire
Get directions ↗National Trust woodland and open common about 35 miles north of central London. Significantly darker than the city and accessible from the M25/A41.
North Downs, Surrey
Get directions ↗The escarpment between Dorking and Guildford gives elevation above the Surrey light dome. Box Hill and Leith Hill are accessible and face north over the Weald.
Dungeness, Kent
Get directions ↗Flat shingle headland on the Kent coast. A wide-open northern horizon over the English Channel. Limited local light sources east of the headland.
South Downs National Park
Get directions ↗The chalk ridge between Eastbourne and Winchester is around 50-70 miles south of London. The north-facing scarp slope faces away from London's glow. Best for Kp 8+ events.
Best time to see the northern lights in London
At 51°N magnetic latitude, London 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 London'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 London?
Average nights per month the Kp reached London'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 London
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 Wales Tonight
Wales has a lower Kp threshold - Kp 6-7 from dark sites.
Read →Northern Lights Manchester Tonight
Manchester is further north and visible at Kp 6.
Read →Tips for Viewing the Northern Lights
What you need on the night - dark sites, timing, and technique.
Read →What Is the Kp Index?
How the Kp scale works and what Kp 7+ means in practice.
Read →Aurora photographs from London
Real photos sourced from Wikimedia Commons.
Aurora over London 
Aurora over London 
Aurora over London 
Aurora over London 
Aurora over London 
Aurora over London Planning your aurora trip
In-depth guides to help you plan a trip to see the northern lights.
Travel Guide UK Northern Lights Scotland - Complete Travel Guide
Shetland, Orkney, Highland coasts, and Galloway Forest - the UK's best aurora destinations.
Photography UK Northern Lights Scotland - Photography Guide
Dark sky locations, foregrounds, and the best conditions for aurora photography in Scotland.
Photography UK Scotland Aurora Photography Locations
Specific spots across the Highlands, Orkney, and Shetland rated for aurora photography.
