
Northern Lights to be visible in the UK amid red alert
Over the last year, stargazers have been treated to several displays from the lights known as the Aurora Borealis.
This morning, AuroraWatch UK issued a red alert for the northern lights to be visible in the sky this evening.
Explaining what a red alert means, AuroraWatch UK shares: "It is likely that aurora will be visible by eye and camera from anywhere in the UK."
Red alert: aurora likely. Issued 2025-06-13 04:57 UTC (05:57 BST) by @aurorawatchuk. #aurora pic.twitter.com/s1cOJH0RL9
AuroraWatch UK is a free service that is run by scientists in the Space and Planetary Physics group at Lancaster University's Department of Physics.
If you want the latest alerts on the Northern Lights, you can find out more via AuroraWatch UK.
An exact time of when the Aurora Borealis will be visible in the UK has not yet been confirmed.
However, previous displays of the Northern Lights have taken place in the late evening, starting from 11pm onwards, with some in the early hours of the morning.
Recommended Reading
How can you take a photo of the Northern Lights? (A guide for beginners)
WATCH: Family captures 'bright shooting star' on doorbell camera
'Thought I was seeing things': Brits shocked as 'shooting star' spotted in UK skies
The Northern Lights are caused by charged particles from the sun hitting gases in the Earth's atmosphere.
The colours occur due to different gases in the Earth's atmosphere being energised by the charged particles.
Nitrogen and oxygen are the two most common gases in the atmosphere, with nitrogen emitting purple, blue and pink colours and oxygen emitting green.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
The 3 essential tasks gardeners should be doing this month to avoid £1000 fine during a hosepipe ban
Scroll down to find out how long the UK's longest hosepipe ban lasted THIRST TRAP The 3 essential tasks gardeners should be doing this month to avoid £1000 fine during a hosepipe ban Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GARDENERS are being warned of a potential hosepipe ban this summer, after UK temperatures soared throughout spring. According to the Met Office, 2025 saw the sunniest spring since records began, with temperatures reaching 29 degrees in early May. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Gardeners are being warned of a potential hosepipe ban this summer Credit: Alamy However, although Brits across the country have enjoyed revelling in the unusually balmy weather, the heat has led to a drought in the northwest of England. The high temperatures have also led Thames Water to share a warning to customers about potential restrictions to water usage. The chief executive of the water company, Chris Weston, said that whilst he doesn't think they will run out of water, they may have to curb customer usage. He added that Thames Water has "learned its lesson" after the company almost ran out of water in 2022. Read more garden stories LOOK AT THAT Bargain hunters flock to Dunelm for huge 50% off garden furniture sale 'I am confident that we won't run out of water,' he told a committee of MPs. 'I am not confident that we won't have to restrict usage because that will depend on what the weather does and what rainfall happens between now and the summer.' This could mean gardeners could be banned from using their hosepipes for watering the garden. What happens during a hosepipe ban? When a Temporary Usage Ban, or hosepipe ban is put in place by a water company, customers are not allowed to use hoses for watering flowers, washing cars, or for water fights. Instead they are encouraged to use watering cans or buckets for any outside tasks that require water. If you breach the ban, you could face a fine of up to £1000. I didn't want to waste water during the hosepipe ban but figured a savvy way to still keep my garden watered How to preserve water ahead of a hosepipe ban To conserve water, ahead of a potential ban, there are three essential task that gardeners should do. Firstly, you can use water butts to collect rainwater. You can also try watering plants in the morning or late in the evening, when the water doesn't get evaporated as quickly. In the home, you can help to conserve water by having quicker showers, and making sure the tap is turned off when you brush your teeth. How to keep cool in a heatwave Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it's too hot, there are health risks. Here are three ways to keep cool according to the NHS... Keep out of the heat if you can. If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter. Cool yourself down. Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes. Keep your living space cool. Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down. Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees. Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep. When did the UK last have a hosepipe ban? Back in June 2023, South East Water implemented a hosepipe ban that affected parts of Kent and Sussex. The ban was lifted in July, after a rainy period of weather. In 2022, five water companies imposed hosepipe bans on a total of 19 million people, after a long period of hot weather. The longest hosepipe ban in the UK was in 1976, when restrictions where in place for 98 days, from June to October. An exceptionally hot summer led to extreme drought which affected most of southern England. During the ban, water use was limited to essential activities such as drinking, cooking and washing.


Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
UK weather: Brits to bask in glorious sunshine today after Met Office storm warnings as temperatures rise to 24C
Warmer weather is also on the cards next week HEATING UP UK weather: Brits to bask in glorious sunshine today after Met Office storm warnings as temperatures rise to 24C Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BRITS are set to bask in glorious sunny weather today with temperatures rising to 24C. The Met Office said that Sunday would be "largely dry for most" after wild conditions in the past few days. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Beachgoers enjoying the scorching hot summer sunshine at the seaside resort of West Bay in Dorset yesterday Credit: Alamy 3 Brighton Beach was packed and sunny over the weekend Credit: SUSSEX NEWS AND PICTURES 3 It follows rainy and stormy weather yesterday Credit: Splash News Today will be a quieter day for many today with variable amounts of cloud and sunny spells developing, said the forecaster. London and Hull are predicted to see highs of 24C today while Birmingham will also see pleasant 23C weather. The forecaster said that there would be a few isolated showers breaking out during the afternoon for central and eastern parts of England. Those in the northwest could also see some patchy rain during the day. Tonight's weather will be largely dry with "clear spells" expected, according to the Met Office. Monday and Tuesday look mostly dry with plenty of sunny spells, especially in eastern and southern parts of the country. Temperatures will feel warm where the sun shines, with highs reaching into the mid-20s Celsius. Monday could see highs of 26C in some areas as the weather looks to heat up again next week. It comes after the UK was lashed by flash floods, thunder and lightning. Met Office issues more storm warnings TODAY after UK lashed by flash floods, thunder & lightning on hottest day of year Parts of the UK were battered by thunderstorms on Saturday as the rainy weather caused flooding and travel disruption in parts of England. More than 30,000 lightning strikes were recorded on Saturday as storms push northwards, although the Met Office said the "vast majority" had been over the sea. But the weather came shortly after the mercury soaring to sweltering temperatures on the hottest day of the year to date. The Met Office said Santon Downham in Suffolk reached 29.4C on Friday - setting a new high for the year. Scotland also had its warmest day of the year so far with 25.7C recorded in Lossiemouth in Moray. The Met Office previously said showers will continue to ease through Sunday, with dry weather for most of the country on Monday and Tuesday. Katharine Smith, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: "There is a risk of significant and localised surface water flooding impacts in parts of England. "Environment Agency teams have ensured rivers and watercourses are clear ahead of the storms and stand ready to support local authorities in their response to surface water flooding. "We urge people not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car."


Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Brits urged to clean garden furniture today to protect it from one thing
Tree sap can cause damage to garden furniture, and with the Met Office issuing yellow weather alerts due to expected thunderstorms, one expert has shared tips on how to clean it off UK households are being encouraged to give their garden furniture a good scrub today (Sunday), as one particular issue can cause significant damage. Tree sap wreaking havoc on garden furnishings is a problem many will encounter during the summer months. The fluid can stain, discolour and weaken materials such as wood, metal and fabrics. A common misconception is that tree sap is washed away by rain. However, according to a garden furniture expert, damp weather conditions can actually cause the sap to drip more from leaves and branches. This results in a sticky residue, which is difficult to remove, being left on furniture sets. Hence, the expert emphasises the need for swift action when this occurs. Mark Holloway, from design specialists Holloways of Ludlow, underscored the importance of maintaining garden furniture cleanliness, especially after rainfall. With the Met Office issuing yellow weather alerts due to thunderstorms and heavy rain this weekend, his message couldn't be more clear. Mark advised: "After periods of heavy rain or wind, it's recommended to take a more thorough approach to clean away any debris that may have accumulated in the grooves of your furniture. Removing these as soon as possible will help to avoid long-lasting damage to the materials of your garden furniture." Storm warnings from the Met Office kicked in from Thursday, June 12 until Saturday, June 14 across parts of the UK, bringing thunderstorms and "torrential downpours" for numerous areas, with various regions facing the rough weather on different days. Nevertheless, brighter skies are forecasted for today, offering Brits a chance to salvage their outdoor furniture before it's potentially damaged by the storms. Depending on your type of garden furniture, the cleaning tactics vary, reports the Express. Wooden furnishings can be spruced up using an everyday washing up sponge and a simple mix of warm water and gentle soap to easily remove dirt build-up. Get rid of any tougher stains that have penetrated the wood using a concoction of warm water, white vinegar and baking soda. For those owning metal pieces, soft brushes or clothes, coupled with a combined paste of baking soda and water should be employed to tackle any marks. "Make sure to apply a rust-resistant spray after cleaning to keep it protected from wet weather," he added. Delicate materials like rattan, cord, or wicker require extra care – opt for a mild cloth and soapy water. For those tricky nooks and crannies, a toothbrush is perfect for prying out lingering dirt.