The Met Office has announced that the UK is entering a 'solar maximum' phase, expected to last for the next 12 months. This event, occurring every 11 years, is marked by heightened sunspots and solar flares, increasing the likelihood of aurora visibility.
Recent solar winds from coronal mass ejections (CMEs) have already produced several sightings of the Northern Lights across the UK. With the solar maximum intensifying solar activity, the chances of witnessing auroras at lower latitudes are rising.
While Northern Scotland, especially Shetland, remains the best location for aurora viewing, the phenomenon is anticipated to be more visible throughout the country in the coming months.
Krista Hammond, Space Weather Manager at the Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre, noted that this solar cycle will likely result in more frequent solar events, enhancing opportunities for aurora sightings. However, the peak number of sunspots will only be determined in hindsight.
The Met Office highlighted a recent geomagnetic storm, attributed to solar flares and CMEs in May, as the strongest recorded in two decades. Following the solar maximum, solar activity will decrease, leading to fewer aurora sightings, although they will not entirely vanish.