Northern Lights could light up UK skies again on Sunday as Met Office issues fresh forecast-here's what you need to know

The Northern Lights put on a striking show across the UK on Friday and Saturday night, giving photographers and stargazers a chance to capture the colourful display. Pink and green lights appeared over parts of northern England, Cumbria and Scotland, while people much further south including in Kent, Hampshire and Devon, also caught sight of the spectacle.

The Met Office says the aurora borealis could appear again over the coming nights. Clear skies will be important for anyone hoping to see it, as per reports by The BBC, The Guardian and The Independent.

Northern Lights spotted across the UK

The displays were visible across large parts of the country, reaching areas where the Northern Lights are not usually seen as often. Photographs captured the glowing colours near Heavenfield and Dunstanburgh Castle in Northumberland, as well as in Minster on Sea in Kent.

The aurora also appeared over parts of Surrey and other southern counties. Although the phenomenon is most commonly associated with areas near the Arctic Circle, strong displays can sometimes be seen much farther south.

The Met Office said sightings could remain possible until Tuesday, particularly across Scotland and areas at similar geomagnetic latitudes. The chances will depend on the conditions each night.

Forecaster Greg Dewhurst said the display might be less intense on Sunday before strengthening again the following night.

“They could be a little weaker tonight (Sunday), so most likely seen across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England,” he said, as per a report by The Independent, The Guardian and the BBC.

“They may be a little stronger again on Monday night so could be seen further south into central areas.”

The colours come from activity on the Sun. It releases charged particles into space through what is known as the solar wind. When these particles reach Earth they come into contact with the magnetic field of Earth. The magnetic field directs these particles toward the poles. At the poles the particles bump into gases that're present high up, in the atmosphere. These collisions cause energy to be released in the form of light. This light is what people see in the night sky.

The Met Office says the solar wind sends bits of energy away, from the Sun at about one million miles every hour. When those bits of energy meet Earths field they get pulled toward the top of the Earths magnetic lines.

The forecaster said, “When these particles interact with Earth’s magnetic field – especially when the solar wind’s polarity is opposite to Earth’s – they are funnelled toward the magnetic poles.

“As these energetic particles collide with gases in the upper atmosphere, they release energy in the form of light. Oxygen produces green and, at higher altitudes, rare red auroras, while nitrogen creates blue and purple hues.”

Green and pink shades were among the colours captured during the latest UK display.

Could the Northern Lights return this week

The Met Office says more sightings are possible through Monday and Tuesday, but there is no guarantee that the lights will appear everywhere. If the display stays weak, Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England are likely to have the better chance. A stronger show could bring the aurora into view farther south.

The Northern Lights are often more active around the equinoxes and solstices, with September and October among the periods when displays can occur.

Why could the Northern Lights appear again

The Sun follows an 11-year cycle of activity, and experts said last year that 2026 would be a peak year for aurora spotting as solar activity remained heightened. There may be another chance to see them over the next few nights. The Met Office says the aurora could remain visible until Tuesday, although clear skies will make a difference.

Thus, for anyone hoping to catch another glimpse, the Met Office says further sightings are possible through Monday and Tuesday, depending on conditions. Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England may have the best chance if the display remains weaker, while a stronger aurora could be visible farther south.