Northern Lights most likely to be seen in these 10 UK cities - just one in Scotland

A spectacular display of the Northern Lights could illuminate UK skies this week as the Met Office issues a geomagnetic storm alert and aurora activity intensifies across the Northern Hemisphere. The rare celestial event, usually confined to Arctic regions, may be visible much further south than usual, with one city in particular emerging as Britain's best vantage point.

Experts have warned that a "strong geomagnetic storm", rated at G3 level, is expected to hit Earth, creating ideal conditions for the Northern Lights to appear across parts of the UK. The phenomenon is caused by massive solar flares that hurl charged particles into space. When these particles interact with Earth's magnetic field, they collide with atmospheric gases, releasing stunning ribbons of colour that dance across the night sky.

According to a new analysis by Betway Casino, the city most likely to witness the Northern Lights is Durham.

The northern cathedral city has recorded 727 sightings, enjoys relatively clear skies with an average of 51.6% annual cloud cover, and benefits from high visibility levels of up to 9km.

Situated roughly 2,434km from the North Pole, Durham's location makes it one of the most promising places in the UK to experience the spectacle as the geomagnetic storm strengthens.

Top 10 cities where visitors are most likely to see the Northern Lights:

1. Durham

2. Edinburgh

3. Lancaster

4. Newcastle upon Tyne

5. Norwich

6. Brighton

7. Belfast

8. Colchester

9. Chester

10. Lincoln

Mean while, Manchester is the city where residents are least likely to see the Northern Lights, with a fairly high annual cloud cover (61.4%) and high light pollution.

Worst cities where visitors are least likely to see the Northern Lights:

1. Manchester

2. London

3. Birmingham

4. Bath

5. Coventry

The Met Office's Space Weather division confirmed that the geomagnetic disturbance was triggered by a recent solar flare, which launched billions of tonnes of charged plasma toward Earth. As the storm intensifies, the aurora's "oval", the region around the magnetic poles where the Northern Lights are visible, expands southward, bringing the phenomenon within reach of large parts of the UK.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said: "We are currently seeing strong geomagnetic conditions that could bring aurora sightings much further south than usual. The best opportunity to view the Northern Lights will be under clear skies, away from areas of light pollution."

For those hoping to catch the display, experts advise heading to open countryside or coastal locations with unobstructed northern horizons. The best viewing times are expected between 9pm and midnight, when geomagnetic activity typically peaks.

The Northern Lights, once a rarity for most Britons, have become increasingly visible in recent months as the sun approaches the peak of its 11-year activity cycle. Scientists believe this surge in solar storms could mean more frequent aurora events across the UK well into 2025.