Northern lights tonight LIVE – Huge geomagnetic storm solar flare to hit Earth TODAY as aurora borealis sparks warnings

PARTS of the UK caught a glimpse of the Northern Lights last night as a powerful solar storm is expected to reach Earth TODAY.

This is thanks to a Coronal Mass Ejection, a massive burst of material from the sun which can cause a phenomenon known as a geomagnetic storm, which interferes with the Earth’s magnetic field.

According to the US Space Weather Prediction Centre, the event could result in power grid fluctuations as well as “orientation irregularities” for spacecraft. Aurora may be visible as low as New York, to Wisconsin and Washington state.

The UK Met Office has said there is a slight chance of moderate class flares above it’s skies too, although cloud is likely to block the view for some.

“Aurora is possible through 11th and 12th across much of Scotland, although cloud amounts are increasing, meaning sightings are unlikely for most,” the Met Office said.

“There is a slight chance of aurora reaching the far north of England and Northern Ireland tonight, but cloud breaks and therefore sightings are more likely in Northern Ireland.”

In the US, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has put the storm at category G2, which the agency defines as moderate in strength.

Read our Northern Lights/Solar Storm live blog for the latest updates…