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
Split image showing a night-time UK precipitation radar on the left with snow and rain icons and blue bands, and a wind speed forecast on the right with colour-coded winds, mph labels, and a windsock icon, divided by a curved white line.
Wednesday 31 December 2025

Wet and windy for some

New Year's Eve outlook
Split weather graphic with wind radar on the left and weather radar on the right. Strong wind fields and heavy precipitation over Central Europe. Depiction of an approaching storm depression.
Wednesday 7 January 2026

Wind, rain, and snow

Storm Goretti moving in
Split image shows high level wind warnings during Storm Éowyn on the left, and noctilucent clouds on the right.
Tuesday 30 December 2025

January to June

2025: The year in weather
All weather news
This might also interest you
Sunday 24 August 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Mammatus clouds widely spotted
Weather map of the UK and Ireland showing scattered showers with cloudy patches across much of the region, especially around western and northern areas. Sunshine symbols appear over London, Cardiff, and parts of southern England, while temperatures range from 17°C to 18°C in most places. Areas of heavier rain are visible over the Atlantic to the west.
Friday 29 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Unsettled conditions into the weekend
Monday 25 August 2025

Bank holiday outlook

Warm day turning gusty in places
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