Aurora Tonight
UK forecast› Scotland› Shetland Islands

Northern lights Shetland tonight

Shetland sits at ~61°N magnetic latitude - the same band as southern Norway. Kp 2-3 can produce a display here. It is the most aurora-active location in the UK by a significant margin.

Aurora visibility — Shetland Islands

Low chance tonight

Kp 1 is below the threshold for Shetland Islands. Activity would need to rise to Kp 2-3 before aurora could reach this latitude.

Current Kp

1

of 9

Threshold for Shetland Islands: Kp 2-3 Magnetic latitude: ~61°N Updated: 10 May, 11:08 UTC

What Kp is needed here?

Shetland Islands sits at a magnetic latitude of approximately 61°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 2-3 before the auroral oval expands far enough south to be visible from here.

At Kp 2-3, visibility is possible from Shetland Islands 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 Shetland Islands

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

Eshaness cliffs, north mainland

North-west Shetland. Dramatic sea cliffs with open Atlantic horizon to the north and virtually no light pollution within 20 miles.

Ronas Hill

The highest point in Shetland at 450 m. Open summit with 360-degree views. Very dark in all directions except a faint glow from Lerwick to the south-east.

Yell and Unst

The northern islands of Shetland sit at over 60.5°N. Essentially anywhere away from the few small settlements gives exceptional aurora viewing conditions.

Sumburgh Head

The southern tip of Shetland mainland. Open headland with lighthouse and dark sea horizon facing north over open water.

Other UK aurora forecasts

UK overview Orkney Islands Inverness Scotland overview

Related pages

Northern Lights UK

Live aurora forecast hub for all UK regions.

Northern Lights Scotland

Scotland-wide aurora forecast.

Northern Lights Orkney Islands Tonight

Orkney is just south and shares an exceptionally low Kp threshold.

Best Time to See Northern Lights UK

When the season opens and which months are most active.

What Is the Kp Index?

Why Kp 2-3 is enough for Shetland but not for the rest of the UK.

Common questions

Aurora visibility from Shetland and why it is the UK's best aurora destination.

How good is Shetland for seeing the northern lights?
Outstanding. Shetland sits at around 60-61°N magnetic latitude - the same band as southern Norway and Iceland. The aurora is visible here on most clear nights during elevated solar activity, and even at Kp 2-3 a display is possible. It is the best location in the UK for aurora frequency and intensity.
What Kp is needed to see aurora in Shetland?
As low as Kp 2 from a dark site on a very clear night. Kp 3 gives a reliable display from anywhere on the islands. Kp 4+ produces bright, active aurora visible from settlements. No other location in the UK has a lower effective threshold.
When can you see the northern lights in Shetland?
The season runs from late August through to late April. Shetland has no astronomical darkness in June and early July, but the window opens earlier in autumn and closes later in spring than anywhere else in the UK. October and March are especially active months.
Do you need to travel far from Lerwick to see aurora?
Not far at all. The Clickimin Loch viewpoint on the edge of Lerwick reduces most of the town light. Head 10-15 minutes in any direction and conditions are excellent. Eshaness (1 hour north-west) and Unst (ferry to northernmost Britain) are the best dedicated spots.
Is Shetland worth visiting specifically for the northern lights?
It is one of the best aurora destinations in the British Isles, comparable to northern Norway or Iceland in latitude. The combination of high magnetic latitude, genuinely dark skies, dramatic coastal scenery, and accessible transport from mainland Scotland makes it a serious option for anyone wanting to see aurora reliably.