Northern Lights Tonight in Glasgow, Scotland
Tonight in Glasgow: aurora is possible but faint, likely only on a phone camera. Kp peaks at 4.7 against a local threshold of Kp 5.0; clouds 55%. Best window: 10 PM – 12 AM GMT.
Visibility now
LowKp 2.0 now (quiet); this spot needs Kp 5.0+.
Kp: NOAA SWPC · Oval: NOAA OVATION · Clouds: Open-Meteo · Updated every 15 minutes.
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Glasgow aurora forecast
| GMT | Kp | Chance | Status | Clouds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 PM | 3.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 27% |
| 7 PM | 3.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 0% |
| 8 PM | 4.7 | 30 of 100 | Low | 0% |
| 9 PM | 4.7 | 30 of 100 | Low | 27% |
| 10 PM | 4.7 | 30 of 100 | Low | 6% |
| 11 PM | 3.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 4% |
Chance combines Kp against the local threshold, clouds, darkness and the moon. Hours before dark read “Too light”.
Kp is just one factor. The app adds clouds, moon, darkness, latitude and solar wind for each night.
Which nights are best?
The first night in the NOAA outlook that reaches Glasgow's Kp 5.0 is Nov 17.
~36 aurora nights per year
Dark nights when Kp reached 5.0, average of the last three years (GFZ Potsdam). Clouds not counted.
Average nights per month since 2015. Best months to visit: Sep.
Tonight's best window
Best time tonight:10 PM – 12 AM GMT, look north-northwest, low on the horizon.
Fully dark from 6:29 PM to 5:32 AM GMT.
Why this forecast?
Aurora Borealis Viewing in Glasgow
Glasgow can see the aurora, but it takes a storm to Kp 5.0 and a patch of clear sky at the same time. The city is large and bright, and its light dome stretches over the Clyde Valley, so the useful move is almost always to leave the center and head north or west.
North of the city the ground rises toward the Campsie Fells and Loch Lomond, which puts hills between you and the glow. The village of Balmaha, on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, looks across the water and gives a darker horizon than anywhere in the city. Closer in, Mugdock Country Park and the high ground above Milngavie work for a quick look when a storm is running, but you will still see Glasgow behind you.
For real darkness, Galloway Forest Park lies to the south, and was the first Dark Sky Park in the UK. Galloway is south of Glasgow, so the view north runs over low hills with the Ayrshire glow in the distance, and you need a decent storm to see anything. Glasgow's weather is wet and changeable, so check the cloud forecast before you commit to a long drive.
For the whole picture, check the northern lights tonight overview or the live aurora map.
Dark-sky spots near Glasgow
Balmaha, Loch Lomond
Village on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, with open water and hills to the north. Darker than anywhere in Glasgow.
Galloway Forest Park
International Dark Sky Park (DarkSky International), Gold Tier
Large forest and loch park in southwest Scotland, the first Dark Sky Park in the UK. Very dark, though the north horizon is hills.
Other cities in the UK
Edinburgh
Belfast
Inverness
Aberdeen
London
Plan your trip
Northern Lights in Glasgow: Quick Guide
How often can you see the northern lights in Glasgow?
What Kp do I need to see the northern lights in Glasgow?
Can I see the northern lights tonight in Glasgow?
Where should I look for the northern lights in Glasgow?
What time is best tonight in Glasgow?
Free app for iPhone and Android
Know when the sky is worth your time
The forecast on this page, watching your location all night and telling you when to step outside.
The hour tonight when Kp, clouds and darkness line up for your spot.
A push alert 30–90 minutes before the aurora reaches your sky, even at 2 AM.
Where the clouds open nearby, so you know which way to drive.
Learn more about the northern lights
How to See the Northern Lights: A Beginner's Guide
Three conditions decide whether you see the northern lights: activity at your latitude, a clear sky and darkness. Here is how to check each one.
Aurora Colors and What They Mean
Green, red, blue, purple and pink aurora explained: which gas makes each color, how high it glows, and why your camera shows more than your eyes.
Northern Lights in Canada: Best Places
The best places to see the northern lights in Canada: Yellowknife, Whitehorse, Churchill, Jasper and the prairies, plus what Ontario and Quebec get.
Northern Lights in Scotland
Where to see the northern lights in Scotland: north coast, islands, Cairngorms and dark sky parks, when the sky is dark enough, and how to beat cloud.
Northern Lights in Norway
Where to see the northern lights in Norway, which months work, why the coast and inland need different plans, and what Oslo gets in a storm.
Aurora Australis Forecast Guide
How to read a forecast for the southern lights: Kp, Bz, the southern oval, darkness, moon and cloud, plus where to look in Tasmania and southern Australia.
Kp index today
Live Kp, the 3-day and 27-day forecast, and what Kp each city needs.
Geomagnetic storm today
G-scale now, the storm outlook and how far south the aurora reaches.