Sky watchers in the UK experienced a significant visual spectacle courtesy of the Northern Lights on Friday, only to be met with a less vivid display on Saturday night. The aurora borealis, known for its vibrant hues of purple, red, green, and blue, was visible as far south as London on Friday, enhanced by a severe geomagnetic storm that spanned northern Europe and North America. This event was rated as a “G5” on the scale of geomagnetic disturbances, marking the most extreme category.

The decrease in geomagnetic activity to a “G3” level on Saturday resulted in a reduction in the auroral intensity. Despite being less impressive, some regions still enjoyed visages of red, purple, and green arrays adorning the night sky. Notable sightings were reported from locations such as Whitley Bay and Crosby Beach. Some individuals, like Paul Norris from West Yorkshire and Sarah Sharpe from East Yorkshire, described witnessing the Northern Lights as an extraordinary experience. Additionally, the intense solar storms prompted a change in the flight paths to the US west coast, highlighting the impactful nature of this geomagnetic event. The Met Office noted this as the highest geomagnetic reading in the UK since 2003.