The Northern Lights could be visible in parts of the UK on Thursday and Friday night, but any viewing window is likely to be brief.
Northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland will have the best chance of seeing the aurora, which is caused by charged particles from the sun colliding with molecules in the upper atmosphere.
However, the Met Office said many areas could struggle for clear skies.
“The aurora borealis may be enhanced overnight tonight with the arrival of a coronal mass ejection,” a spokesman said.
“They are more likely to reach Scotland, parts of northern England and Northern Ireland.
“However, visibility may be poor for many, with cloud and rain for many in these regions overnight, as well as only a short window where it is dark enough as we are in summer.”
Don Pollacco, professor of physics at the University of Warwick, said people in the countryside would have the best chance.
“Predicting exactly where you can see the Northern Lights is difficult as conditions can change quickly.
“The current storm is said to be visible from northern England, but is notoriously difficult to predict.
“However, one thing is certain, and that is that you are unlikely to see them from a brightly lit city environment – you have to go somewhere dark and look towards the northern horizon.
“So you’ll preferably be in the field away from the street lights.”
The Northern Lights, as they are also known, are usually associated with Scandinavian countries in Europe, but are sometimes visible in the UK, with people as far south as Somerset and Wiltshire. uploading photos of it in April.
