Why 2026 could be another dazzling year for the Northern Lights
On November 11, a large solar flare measuring X5.1 – on a scale from X1 to X10 and beyond – was observed on the Sun. It released a huge amount of energy towards Earth, resulting in one of the best aurora borealis of the year, with sightings even reported in southern England.
Although this is the strongest flare of 2025, it is nowhere near the spectacular events of May and October 2024, when solar flares X8.8 and X9 were recorded respectively.
Even though we have now passed the peak of the current solar cycle and are heading towards the “solar minimum”, expected around 2031-32, solar activity will remain relatively high until 2026.
Even in a quieter year, all it takes is one large solar flare or Earth-directed coronal mass ejection to produce a stunning aurora display across the UK.
The spring and autumn equinoxes can also cause a slight increase in activity due to the alignment of the Sun and Earth – the so-called Russell-McPherron effect.
This means you are about twice as likely to see aurora at these times of year.
