Northern lights in Snowdonia tonight
North Wales · 53° magnetic latitude · Kp 6 threshold
Kp 1 is well below the Kp 6 threshold needed for aurora to be visible from Snowdonia.
7-day outlook for Snowdonia
Based on CME arrival predictions from NASA DONKI. Arrival times ±6 hours.
auroratonight.space
What Kp is needed here?
Snowdonia sits at a magnetic latitude of approximately 53°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 before the auroral oval expands far enough south to be visible from here.
At Kp 6, visibility is possible from Snowdonia 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 Snowdonia
Light pollution is the biggest obstacle after cloud cover. These sites give you the best dark northern horizon within reach.
Carneddau plateau
Get directions ↗The high moorland plateau of the Carneddau gives some of the darkest accessible sky in Wales. The ridge above Bethesda at over 700 m is remote, elevated, and faces north over Conwy Bay with virtually no light pollution in the northern direction.
Cadair Idris
Get directions ↗The mountain above Dolgellau in southern Snowdonia faces north over the Mawddach Estuary. The car park at Minffordd and the Cwm Cau track give access to elevated positions at over 400 m with open sky to the north.
Pen-y-Pass, Llanberis Pass
Get directions ↗The mountain pass at over 350 m gives direct sky access above valley haze. The north-west direction from here faces out toward Anglesey and the Irish Sea with minimal light pollution.
Barmouth coast and Cardigan Bay
Get directions ↗The coastal town of Barmouth faces west over Cardigan Bay with the mountains behind blocking eastern light domes. The beach and pier area gives a long horizon over dark open sea to the north-west.
Best time to see the northern lights in Snowdonia
At 53°N magnetic latitude, Snowdonia 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 Snowdonia'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 Snowdonia?
Average nights per month the Kp reached Snowdonia's threshold of 6+, from 15 years of geomagnetic data (2010–2024).
Counts the Kp 6+ 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 Snowdonia
Best window
The January to March window averages 1 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 Wales Tonight
Wales-wide aurora forecast and dark sky overview.
Read →Northern Lights Brecon Beacons Tonight
The other major dark sky area in Wales.
Read →Northern Lights Photography
Snowdonia's mountain landscapes give exceptional aurora photography conditions.
Read →What Is the Kp Index?
What Kp 6 means for viewing from north Wales.
Read →Aurora photographs from Snowdonia
Real photos sourced from Wikimedia Commons.
Aurora over Snowdonia 
Aurora over Snowdonia 
Aurora over Snowdonia 
Aurora over Snowdonia 
Aurora over Snowdonia 
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