This week marks another exciting space weather event with the possibility of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights in Scotland. After all, it’s much more pleasant to be aurora hunting when the weather is not -5 degrees! However, running into the challenge of shorter nights could hinder the chances.
According to The Met Office, there was a coronal mass ejection (CME) on Sunday, May 10 at 1:13pm, which could soon translate into the green hues of the aurora borealis here in Scotland.
When could Scotland witness the Northern Lights this May?
As a result, we could be in for a phenomenal treat as soon as tomorrow (May 13), as well as possibly on May 15. inviting Northern Lights enthusiasts to get their gear and travel North to dark spots to witness the natural phenomenon.
The Met Office said: “Auroral activity is expected to be mostly at background levels. However, there is the potential for a glancing CME arriving into early UTC on 13 May. This may bring an enhancement to the auroral oval, perhaps allowing sightings across northern Scotland and similar geomagnetic latitudes, where skies are clear.”
So, while it is unlikely to appear in Glasgow directly, those willing to travel up north and be ready once it gets dark could be in for a treat!
What is more, 2026 is set to be a “peak year” for aurora, due to increased solar activity that comes in 11-year cycles.
The last time Scotland saw the Northern Lights was on March 23-24, with a couple of other occasions during 2026. Luckily, Scotland is abundant in aurora sightings when planned accordingly.
