The Met Office has revealed that there is a strong chance to see the stunning Aurora Borealis, more commonly known as the Northern Lights, over parts of the United Kingdom tonight.

The Aurora Borealis are visible when charged particles hit the gases present in the Earth’s atmosphere around the magnetic poles. The “natural aurora belt” or where the lights are visible every year lies over Northern Scotland, Iceland and Greenland.

However, much to the happiness of many Brits, they have been visible at a number of occasions around the UK, including several locations in Wales. See pictures of the Northern Lights in Wales here

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The Met Office has forecast that the lights will be visible over Northern Scotland and possibly cover most of Scotland wherever the Scottish skies remain clear thus evening and and tonight. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here

This doesn’t mean that people beyond Scotland do not have anything to look forward to as, the Met Office has predicted that there is a chance that these lights could be visible further south with long exposure photography.

In a statement on X the Met Office stated: “Through this evening and overnight, aurora sightings are possible over northern Scotland and potentially over much of Scotland where skies remain clear. There is perhaps a chance further south too, with long exposure photography.”

In a map shared by the Met Office the lights will first be visible at Shetland at around 6pm, and just after 7pm, much of Northern Scotland will be able to see the lights. By 8pm tonight, the chance to see the light will be at its peak and they are predicted to be seen all across Scotland wherever there is a clear sky.