Aurora Tonight
UK forecast› Wales› Snowdonia

Northern lights Snowdonia tonight

Snowdonia National Park sits at ~53°N magnetic latitude with mountains over 1,000 m, dark skies across most of its area, and open sea horizons to the north-west. Kp 6 is the threshold on a clear night from elevated positions.

Aurora visibility — Snowdonia

Unlikely tonight

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

Current Kp

1

of 9

Threshold for Snowdonia: Kp 6 Magnetic latitude: ~53°N Updated: 10 May, 11:07 UTC

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

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

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

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

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.

Other UK aurora forecasts

UK overview Wales overview Liverpool Manchester

Related pages

Northern Lights UK

Live aurora forecast hub for all UK regions.

Northern Lights Wales Tonight

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Northern Lights Brecon Beacons Tonight

The other major dark sky area in Wales.

Northern Lights Photography

Snowdonia's mountain landscapes give exceptional aurora photography conditions.

What Is the Kp Index?

What Kp 6 means for viewing from north Wales.

Common questions

Aurora watching in Snowdonia National Park, north Wales.

Is Snowdonia a good place to see the northern lights?
One of the best in Wales. Snowdonia National Park sits at ~53°N magnetic latitude with mountain altitudes up to 1,085 m, dark sky conditions across most of the park, and open northern sea horizons. Kp 6 is enough on a clear night from elevated positions in the park.
What Kp is needed to see aurora in Snowdonia?
Kp 6 from elevated dark sky sites such as the Carneddau plateau or Pen-y-Pass. Snowdonia is at roughly the same latitude as Sheffield, but the high altitude and lack of surrounding urban development give it much darker sky conditions.
Where exactly in Snowdonia is best for aurora?
The Carneddau plateau north of Bethesda gives the most open northern view and the darkest conditions - but it requires a significant walk at altitude. For accessible spots, the Pen-y-Pass car park (open late, elevated) and the Barmouth coast (sea horizon) are practical alternatives. Cadair Idris in southern Snowdonia is excellent for north-facing views.
Can you see aurora from Snowdonia's coast?
Yes. The north and west coasts of the Snowdonia area - from the Llyn Peninsula to Barmouth and the Conwy Estuary - give sea horizons with minimal light pollution behind you. Coastal positions work well when the aurora is active and visible over open water.
Is Snowdonia accessible for aurora watching from Manchester or Liverpool?
About 1.5-2 hours from Manchester and Liverpool. During a Kp 6 forecast, the drive is worthwhile - Snowdonia gives substantially darker conditions than any dark site within an hour of those cities. The A55 gives fast access to north Wales from the M56.