🌌 Aurora update | Possible activity tonight! 💚💜💙✨
⭐ Update as of approximately 20:45 BST, Tuesday 13th October 2026.
💚 Aurora sightings reported from the Moray Coast in Scotland at around 20:10 BST!
💚 Elevated solar wind speed, currently around 600 km/s.
💚 NOAA forecasts possible minor G1 storm conditions late tonight.
💚 Clear skies forecast across much of the UK for much of the night.
💚 Opportunities farther south if the magnetic conditions improve!
Hi everyone! Following Saturday’s beautiful Northern Lights display, there may be another opportunity on the northern horizon tonight.
Aurora has already been reported from the Moray Coast in Scotland this evening. The solar wind is elevated, but the magnetic field direction is currently less favourable, so we will need to watch how conditions develop.
The current readings do not suggest a repeat of Saturday’s widespread display, but conditions can change. If you have clear skies, particularly in northern Scotland, it could be worth having a look! 😊💚
Recent space weather activity
Several solar eruptions and coronal hole streams have made the past few days quite complicated to interpret.
Following Saturday’s CME arrival, conditions became quieter. Reports describe a smaller disturbance at the upstream monitoring spacecraft overnight into Tuesday, with magnetic field strength briefly reaching around 15 nT.
Solar wind speed has since increased, which is consistent with possible influence from an incoming coronal hole high-speed stream. However, the readings alone do not tell us exactly which solar event is responsible.
There are also possible glancing influences from recent CMEs, including eruptions associated with filaments. Their arrival times and whether they will affect Earth remain uncertain, so we’ll keep watching the measurements rather than assuming every predicted event will reach us.
Current stats
Readings captured around 20:30–20:35 BST on 13 October 2026.
💨 Solar wind speed: around 600 km/s, elevated and having increased through the day.
🌌 Solar wind density: slightly elevated at 6.47 particles/cm³.
🧲 IMF strength (Bt): 7.06 nT, slightly elevated.
↕️ North–south magnetic field component (Bz): currently northward at +3.9 nT. It has remained mostly northward today, with only brief southward dips.
The elevated speed is encouraging, but the predominantly northward Bz is currently limiting the prospects for stronger, more widespread activity.
A sustained turn southward, especially alongside a stronger magnetic field, would improve aurora prospects. Northern locations can still see activity without ideal readings, as tonight’s reported Moray Coast sightings have shown.
NOAA geomagnetic forecast
The NOAA forecast issued at 12:30 UTC today identifies possible minor G1 geomagnetic storm conditions during the 21:00–00:00 UT period.
For us, that is 22:00 BST tonight, Tuesday 13th October, through to 01:00 BST on Wednesday 14th October.
The forecast attributes the potential activity to a negative-polarity coronal hole high-speed stream, combined with possible flanking CME influences.
Remember, this is a forecast, not a guarantee of storm conditions or a visible display at any particular location. Activity could develop outside that window too, so the real-time measurements and sightings will remain important.
Where to look
Sightings have already been reported from the Moray Coast this evening, making northern Scotland worth watching wherever skies are clear.
If the magnetic conditions improve, particularly with sustained southward Bz, aurora could become visible farther south.
Start by checking low along the northern horizon, ideally somewhere dark with an unobstructed view. A camera may pick up faint colour before it becomes obvious to the naked eye.
The current readings do not suggest a repeat of Saturday’s display, but conditions can change, so keep expectations realistic and watch for updates.
Earth weather
The forecast looks promising across much of the UK for much of tonight, with plenty of opportunities for clear skies.
There are some patches of cloud across southern Ireland, northern Wales and northern England, with a little cloud also along the west coast of Scotland. Some of these patches are forecast to clear further as the night progresses.
A larger area of thick cloud and rain is approaching from the west and is forecast to start moving over western parts of the UK from around 02:00 BST, spreading farther east through the early morning. The timing will vary by location, so check your local forecast before travelling.
As always, forecasts are never 100% accurate. Keep checking your skies for unexpected clear patches!
Lunar conditions
With a young waxing crescent Moon, lunar light pollution should be limited, particularly once it has set at your location. 🌙
Summary
All in all it is worth keeping an eye to the north tonight as we could see some activity close to the horizon.
Aurora has already been reported from the Moray Coast tonight, solar wind speed is elevated, and NOAA forecasts possible minor G1 conditions between 22:00 and 01:00 BST.
The main thing we need to improve is Bz, which is currently northward. If it turns southward and stays there, prospects could improve and opportunities may extend farther south.
With clear skies forecast across much of the UK before cloud and rain begin moving into western areas from around 02:00 BST, tonight is worth monitoring. Fingers crossed for favourable magnetic conditions and a little more aurora magic! 🤞💚
Follow our socials for updates
We will be keeping an eye on the skies and satellite data and sharing updates as conditions develop.
Follow @astrodoguk for our latest aurora updates, and let us know if you spot anything! We always love hearing your stories and seeing your photographs.
Good luck and clear skies! 😊💖✨
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