Northern lights in Northern Ireland tonight
Ulster · 54° magnetic latitude · Kp 5-6 threshold
Kp 1 is well below the Kp 5-6 threshold needed for aurora to be visible from Northern Ireland.
7-day outlook for Northern Ireland
Based on CME arrival predictions from NASA DONKI. Arrival times ±6 hours.
auroratonight.space
What Kp is needed here?
Northern Ireland 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 Northern Ireland 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 Northern Ireland
Light pollution is the biggest obstacle after cloud cover. These sites give you the best dark northern horizon within reach.
Torr Head, County Antrim
Get directions ↗The north-east tip of the Antrim coast. Open northern view across the North Channel toward Scotland. Minimal light pollution in the northward direction.
Mourne Mountains, County Down
Get directions ↗The dark, open moorland of the Mournes gives excellent skies on all sides. Higher peaks offer views over Belfast's light dome to the north.
Strangford Lough shores
Get directions ↗The west shore of the lough between Downpatrick and Killinchy faces north over open water. Minimal local light pollution away from main settlements.
Sperrin Mountains AONB
Get directions ↗High moorland spanning the Derry-Tyrone border. Some of the darkest skies in Northern Ireland with open northern horizons from the main summits.
Ards Peninsula, County Down
Get directions ↗Flat peninsula with low light pollution and open sea views north and east. Millisle and the north tip of the peninsula are accessible viewing spots.
Best time to see the northern lights in Northern Ireland
At 54°N magnetic latitude, Northern Ireland 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 Northern Ireland'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
Up to 8 locations
How often does the aurora appear in Northern Ireland?
Average nights per month the Kp reached Northern Ireland's threshold of 5+, from 15 years of geomagnetic data (2010–2024).
Counts the Kp 5+ 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 Northern Ireland
Best window
The February to April window averages 4 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 March.
Related pages
Northern Lights UK
Live aurora forecast hub for all UK regions.
Read →Northern Lights Scotland
Scotland is the nearest high-latitude region for comparison.
Read →Northern Lights Wales Tonight
Aurora forecast for Wales - similar Kp threshold to Northern Ireland.
Read →Tips for Viewing the Northern Lights
Dark sites, timing, and practical preparation.
Read →What Is the Kp Index?
How the geomagnetic scale works and what Kp 5 means for Ulster.
Read →Aurora photographs from Northern Ireland
Real photos sourced from Wikimedia Commons.
Aurora over Northern Ireland 
Aurora over Northern Ireland 
Aurora over Northern Ireland 
Aurora over Northern Ireland 
Aurora over Northern Ireland 
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