Northern Ireland: Northern Lights Tonight, City by City
Aurora season in Northern Ireland runs from September to April.
Northern Ireland tonight
Low
Aurora chance tonight, Northern Ireland overall: Low. Best place: Portrush, 11:00 PM–2:00 AM. Clouds are the limit there: about 100% cover tonight.
| Place | Aurora Score | Best viewing window | Cloud cover | Min Kp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portrush | 36Low | 11:00 PM–2:00 AM | 100% | 5 |
| Derry / Londonderry | 36Low | 11:00 PM–2:00 AM | 100% | 5 |
| Belfast | 36Low | 11:00 PM–2:00 AM | 100% | 5 |
| Enniskillen | 36Low | 11:00 PM–2:00 AM | 100% | 5 |
| Armagh | 36Low | 11:00 PM–2:00 AM | 100% | 5 |
| Newry | 36Low | 11:00 PM–2:00 AM | 99% | 5 |
Northern Ireland: the next nights
Aurora Forecast AI Tracker
Get aurora alerts for Northern Ireland
Track the aurora forecast for Northern Ireland with hourly visibility, cloud cover and geomagnetic activity. Save nearby viewing spots, check the best time to look for the Northern Lights, and receive alerts when local conditions improve.
- Smart aurora alerts
- Best viewing window
- Hourly forecast
- Saved locations
Northern Ireland in numbers
- Cities on this site
- 6
- Latitude
- 54.2°–55.2°
- Geomagnetic latitude
- 51.2°–52.4°
- Min Kp
- 5
- Aurora zone
- Mid-latitude
Best Months to See the Northern Lights in Northern Ireland
The aurora season in Northern Ireland usually runs from September to April.
Where the odds are best in Northern Ireland
| Place | Aurora zone | Min Kp | Geomagnetic latitude | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧PortrushNorthern Ireland | Mid-latitude | 5 | 52.4° | September to April |
| 🇬🇧Derry / LondonderryNorthern Ireland | Mid-latitude | 5 | 52.2° | September to April |
| 🇬🇧BelfastNorthern Ireland | Mid-latitude | 5 | 51.7° | September to April |
| 🇬🇧EnniskillenNorthern Ireland | Mid-latitude | 5 | 51.5° | September to April |
| 🇬🇧ArmaghNorthern Ireland | Mid-latitude | 5 | 51.4° | September to April |
| 🇬🇧NewryNorthern Ireland | Mid-latitude | 5 | 51.2° | September to April |
Other regions in United Kingdom
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see the Northern Lights in Northern Ireland tonight?
Northern Ireland: it depends on tonight's sky more than on where you are — every place here needs about Kp 5. Beyond that it takes a clear, dark sky: cloud blocks aurora at any Kp. The table at the top of this page has tonight's forecast city by city.
What Kp index is needed to see the Northern Lights in Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland: about Kp 5 everywhere. The places on this site sit at similar geomagnetic latitudes, so the threshold is the same. Kp is a probability signal, not a guarantee — it still takes a clear, dark sky.
What are the best months to see the Northern Lights in Northern Ireland?
September to April, with November to February the darkest stretch — though at this latitude the season is set by how often a storm reaches you, not by daylight.
Where is the best place to see the Northern Lights in Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland: geomagnetically its places are about equal — each needs about Kp 5. What decides the night is cloud and darkness: pick the clearest sky and get away from city lights.