Last night (26th Feb) the northern lights were seen across much of the country due to a geomagnetic storm. The storm is continuing and may intensify later today, so further displays of aurora are possible tonight.
Late on 24th Feb there was a coronal mass ejection (CME) associated with an M3.7-class solar flare. The solar wind was already being disturbed by coronal hole effects, when the CME arrived at around 18:30 UT. The combination of CME and coronal hole effects caused a strong geomagnetic storm and spectacular displays of the northern lights.
Around 19:30 UT on 25th February there was another full-halo CME, associated with a long duration M-class solar flare, again from the north-west of the solar disc. This CME is expected to arrive late on 27th or in the early hours of the 28th Feb. Following its arrival there is likely to be an enhancement in geomagnetic activity, with a chance for further strong STORM activity.
Assuming clear dark skies, there is an increased chance of seeing the aurora tonight (27th Feb). Those in Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland have the best chance if the weather is favourable.
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