Aurora Tonight
UK forecast› Norwich

Northern lights Norwich tonight

Norwich sits at ~52°N magnetic latitude with the north Norfolk coast 35-40 minutes north. Kp 6-7 is the threshold. Kelling Heath and the Blakeney coast give open north-facing sea horizons with some of the least light-polluted coastal skies in eastern England.

Aurora visibility — Norwich

Unlikely tonight

Kp 1 is well below the Kp 6-7 threshold needed for aurora to be visible from Norwich.

Current Kp

1

of 9

Threshold for Norwich: Kp 6-7 Magnetic latitude: ~52°N Updated: 10 May, 11:04 UTC

What Kp is needed here?

Norwich sits at a magnetic latitude of approximately 52°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 Norwich 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 Norwich

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

Kelling Heath

Open heathland on the north Norfolk coast, about 35 minutes north of Norwich. The heath faces north over the North Sea with virtually no development to the north. The area around Holt and Kelling is one of the darkest in Norfolk. The annual Kelling Heath Star Party attracts astronomers from across the region.

North Norfolk coast - Blakeney and Cley

The low-lying coast between Blakeney and Wells-next-the-Sea faces north-east over open sea with salt marsh and reed beds behind. Very dark and flat with open sky in all northern directions. About 40 minutes from Norwich.

The Broads - Horsey and Winterton

The north-east Broads around Horsey and Winterton-on-Sea give open coastal positions facing east and north-east over the North Sea. The dunes and beach here face north with minimal coastal development.

Thetford Forest

The large Forestry Commission forest south-west of Norwich gives dark woodland clearings at Bortle 4 conditions. Internal forest tracks accessible from the High Lodge centre. About 30 minutes south-west of Norwich.

Other UK aurora forecasts

UK overview Cambridge Lincoln London

Related pages

Northern Lights UK

Live aurora forecast hub for all UK regions.

Northern Lights Cambridge Tonight

Cambridge is south-west with Thetford Forest as a shared dark site.

Northern Lights Lincoln Tonight

Lincoln is north with the Lincolnshire Wolds and coast.

What Is the Kp Index?

What Kp 6-7 means for viewing from East Anglia.

Tips for Viewing the Northern Lights

How to use dark sky maps and plan a north Norfolk coast watch.

Common questions

Aurora watching from Norwich and the north Norfolk coast.

Is Norfolk good for seeing the northern lights?
Better than most of southern England. Norfolk's very flat terrain and the north Norfolk coast give open north-facing sea horizons with some of the least light-polluted coastal positions in England south of Lincolnshire. At 52°N magnetic latitude, Kp 6-7 is needed but the flat horizon and dark coast make Norwich one of the better southern English cities for aurora.
What Kp is needed for aurora near Norwich?
Kp 6-7 from dark sites on the north Norfolk coast or at Kelling Heath. Norwich sits at ~52°N magnetic latitude - slightly north of London but requiring a moderate storm. The flat terrain and sea horizon are assets compared to inland alternatives.
Why is Kelling Heath popular for aurora watching?
Kelling Heath on the north Norfolk coast is one of England's most active amateur astronomy sites. The combination of very dark conditions, north-facing sea horizon, and regular clear spells from stable high pressure over East Anglia makes it a practical spot. The annual star party shows its sky quality.
Is the north Norfolk coast good for aurora?
Very good for southern England. The coast between Blakeney and Hunstanton faces north and north-west with salt marsh behind reducing any inland light. The complete flatness means aurora on the northern horizon is unobstructed from ground level. From Kelling Heath or the Blakeney Point area, the North Sea horizon is completely clear.
How does Norwich compare to Cambridge for aurora?
Norwich is marginally further north and has better coastal dark sky access. The north Norfolk coast gives a sea horizon that Cambridge cannot match. Both sit at around 52°N magnetic latitude with the same Kp 6-7 threshold. For coastal aurora watching, the Norfolk coast is better; for convenience Cambridge has Thetford Forest as a shared option.