Aurora Tonight
UK forecast › Wales

Northern lights Wales tonight

Wales sits at ~52°N magnetic latitude with two International Dark-Sky Reserves - Eryri and the Brecon Beacons. A Kp 6-7 storm brings aurora within range from these dark upland areas.

Aurora visibility — Wales

Unlikely tonight

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

Current Kp

1

of 9

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

What Kp is needed here?

Wales 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 Wales 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 Wales

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

Eryri (Snowdonia) Dark Sky Reserve

International Dark-Sky Reserve covering the whole national park. Open moorland in the Carneddau range and Mynydd Mawr give excellent north-facing sky views.

Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) Dark Sky Reserve

International Dark-Sky Reserve in south Wales. The central plateau above Pen y Fan and the Fan Brycheiniog ridge offer Bortle 2-3 conditions on clear nights.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

The north-facing headlands around St David's and Strumble Head give open Atlantic views with minimal light to the north. One of the least light-polluted coastlines in Wales.

Cambrian Mountains

The largely uninhabited upland spine of mid Wales. The highest ground around Plynlimon gives Bortle 2 conditions. Access via the A44 from Aberystwyth.

Mynydd Epynt, Powys

Open military training range (check access dates) with moorland at 400-500 m elevation in mid Wales. Substantially darker than the surrounding valleys.

Other UK aurora forecasts

UK overview Manchester London Northern Ireland

Related pages

Northern Lights UK

Live aurora forecast hub for all UK regions.

Northern Lights Manchester Tonight

Manchester shares a similar Kp threshold to Wales.

Northern Lights London Tonight

London has the highest Kp threshold in the UK - Kp 7+.

Tips for Viewing the Northern Lights

Dark sites, timing, and practical advice for aurora watching.

What Is the Kp Index?

What Kp 6-7 means and when G2/G3 storms tend to occur.

Common questions

Aurora visibility from Wales and the best spots in the national parks.

Can you see the northern lights from Wales?
Yes, during moderate to strong geomagnetic storms. Wales sits at around 52°N magnetic latitude and needs Kp 6-7 to see aurora from a dark site. During the May 2024 extreme storm (Kp 8-9), aurora was visible across Wales including from populated areas. At Kp 6-7 it requires dark skies in the national parks.
Where is the best place to see aurora in Wales?
Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons are both designated International Dark-Sky Reserves, giving the darkest skies in Wales. For a northward view, the northern fringes of Snowdonia facing Anglesey and the Irish Sea are ideal. The Pembrokeshire coast offers north-facing sea views with very low local light pollution.
What Kp is needed for aurora in Wales?
From the darkest sites in Wales (Brecon Beacons, Cambrian Mountains), Kp 6 is the minimum. Kp 7 gives a clearer display and makes it accessible from more locations. At Kp 8+, aurora is visible from much of Wales without needing to travel to a remote dark site.
Is Snowdonia (Eryri) good for aurora watching?
Yes. The Snowdonia Dark Sky Reserve has genuinely dark skies away from the main valleys and towns. The northern parts of the park - the Carneddau, Conwy Mountain, and the coast between Llandudno and Penmaenmawr - give the best northward views.
Can you see northern lights from Cardiff?
Only during extreme events (Kp 8-9). Cardiff sits at around 51.5°N and has significant urban light pollution. The Brecon Beacons are about 45 minutes north and give a major improvement in dark sky quality. During strong storms, Penarth and Barry headlands face south-west rather than north, so the Brecon Beacons or Gower are better choices.