Home / Editor's Pick /

Did you spot them? Northern Lights shine over Europe

11:00
24 April 2023

Did you spot them?
Northern Lights shine over Europe

This time-lapse of the aurora was captured by user Chantal Anders in Ense, Germany.

The UK and Europe were treated to a widespread display of the Northern Lights on Sunday, one of the final shows of the season.

Late Sunday evening, a powerful aurora borealis reached far into Europe.

Visible as far as the Alps, the geomagnetic storm appeared a day after the Lyrid meteor shower reached its peak.

Northern LightsNorthern Lights seen in Brandenburg, Germany. - © Sarah Böhm

The Northern Lights actually happen all year round, but since the Sun's rays are a million times more powerful, we can only see the display when it's dark.

What causes auroras?read more

Therefore, it is typically during the winter months that we have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights.

Aurora displays are starting to become more commonplace in the UK and Ireland as the Sun enters the most active phase of its solar cycle.

As the Sun approaches this phase, which it should reach in 2025, larger and more frequent solar flares and coronal mass ejection events will shoot solar particles towards Earth, triggering auroras.

If you were one of the lucky ones who saw the Northern Lights, we want to see your photos and videos too! Use the uploader to submit your shots.

Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
Tsunami damage
Friday 26 December 2025

On this day...

The 2004 Boxing Day tsunami
Split image showing a family and children playing and sledding on a snowy field with winter hills on the left, and a UK weather forecast map on the right with sun and cloud icons, city temperatures, and cloud cover over northern Scotland, divided by a curved white line.
Wednesday 24 December 2025

Unlikely this year

Defining a White Christmas
Split image showing a night-time UK rain radar map with blue precipitation bands, city temperature markers, and a rain cloud icon on the left, and a star-filled night sky with the Milky Way and a silhouetted telescope on the right, divided by a curved white line.
Sunday 21 December 2025

Ursid meteor shower

Wish upon a Christmas star
All weather news
This might also interest you
Wednesday 27 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Frontal system brings heavy rain
plit image showing a double rainbow over a rocky shoreline on the left and sheep grazing in a green field under stormy clouds on the right.
Sunday 2 November 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Mixed conditions on an unsettled week
Outline of Santa Claus with a yellow and white hat, "Ho-Ho-Ho" next to the outline above a Christmas tree.
Thursday 25 December 2025

Merry Christmas!

Wishes from Weather & Radar
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwitteryouTubelinkList