🌌 Aurora forecast

Northern Lights tonight in Manchester?

A live, location-specific aurora forecast for Manchester — tonight's Kp index, the live Ovation model overhead, the Kp this latitude needs, and the 3-day outlook. Updated continuously from NOAA SWPC.

Live · from NOAA SWPC

Unlikely tonight

Aurora is unlikely in Manchester tonight

Kp is 1 (G0), below the roughly Kp 5 Manchester typically needs for the northern lights to come into view.

1Current Kp · G0

0%Overhead now (Ovation)

Kp 5Needed for Manchester

55.6°Geomagnetic latitude

Over the next three days Kp is forecast to peak near 5 (G1) — a genuine chance for Manchester if skies stay clear.

How to see the northern lights from Manchester

Look north. The aurora appears low on the northern horizon for Manchester unless the storm is strong, so you need a clear, unobstructed view that way.
Get dark. Leave city lights behind — the darker the sky, the fainter an aurora you can catch. A new or low moon helps.
Time it. Activity peaks around magnetic midnight (about 10pm–2am local). Clear autumn-to-spring nights are best.
Check the live reading. A gust of solar wind gives only 15–60 minutes' warning, so watch the live Kp and the space weather dashboard on the night.

Understand the forecast

Aurora forecast hubLive Kp, the visibility map & best window Kp index explainedWhat the 0–9 scale means for you What is space weather?Solar wind, flares, CMEs & storms Space Weather nowLive solar & geomagnetic conditions

Aurora in Manchester — common questions

Can I see the aurora tonight in Manchester?

Aurora is unlikely in Manchester tonight. Kp is 1 (G0), below the roughly Kp 5 Manchester typically needs for the northern lights to come into view.

What Kp index does Manchester need for the aurora?

Manchester sits at about 55.6° geomagnetic latitude, so the auroral oval typically reaches it around Kp 5 and above. Higher Kp brings brighter, higher displays; below that the aurora usually stays poleward of Manchester.

Which way do I look for the aurora from Manchester?

From Manchester, look toward the northern horizon (toward the nearer pole). Find a dark site with a clear view that way, ideally around magnetic midnight (roughly 10pm–2am local).

Aurora forecast for another city

Pick your location for a tonight's-aurora verdict, or open the full aurora forecast hub for the live map and best viewing window.

Last updated 2026-07-10 · Live data: NOAA SWPC (Kp index, OVATION aurora model). Geomagnetic-latitude thresholds are approximate.

Aurora is unlikely in Manchester tonight

How to see the northern lights from Manchester

Understand the forecast

Aurora in Manchester — common questions

Aurora forecast for another city

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