Have you ever dreamed of witnessing the magical Northern Lights with your own eyes? The dazzling Aurora Borealis dancing across the night sky is a spectacular sight you'll never forget. As a resident of North Yorkshire, you're in luck - this celestial phenomenon actually appears above the county several times a year, you just need to know where and when to look. In this guide, we'll give you the inside scoop on how to have the best chance of catching the Northern Lights in North Yorkshire for yourself. Clear nights, dark skies, and the right weather conditions are key. We'll reveal the top places to see the Aurora and share where to find reliable forecast so you never miss the opportunity to be awed by the wonder of the Northern Lights. What are you waiting for? Get ready to be mesmerized by one of nature's greatest shows. An unforgettable experience awaits you in the skies over North Yorkshire.
Did you know that over 80% of tourists miss the Northern Lights due to the lack of Aurora knowledge? Don't let that be you! The right time and the right place are the key. Northern Lights Online Course and Aurora mobile app designed for beginners will significantly increase your chances.
Designed For Beginners
Designed For Beginners
Update: Hey there, we've added 10 free videos from our Ultimate Northern Lights Online Course to this post. In the videos, we explain the mysteries of the Aurora Borealis in simple terms for beginners. You'll learn things like what the Northern Lights really look like and how long the show lasts. Also covered are common shapes, Aurora forecasting, tips for finding the best viewing spot, and more. We made the videos short and right to the point. Enjoy learning new things about one of nature's most incredible light shows.
The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are a natural phenomenon where colorful lights dance across the night sky. They form when electrically charged particles from the Sun enter the Earth's atmosphere and collide with gasses like oxygen and nitrogen.
To see the Northern Lights in Yorkshire, especially in North Yorkshire, you need the right conditions. Typically, the more north you go, the better your chances. Top spots are rural areas away from light pollution, like the North York Moors National Park, Yorkshire Dales National Park, and Flamborough Head.
All-in-one tool for Aurora hunting. Try the new experience.
The best times to spot the Northern Lights are around the equinoxes in March and September when solar activity is highest. You'll need a clear, dark night and check the Kp index forecast, which measures geomagnetic activity - the higher the number, the better! A Kp 6 or above means the Northern Lights should be visible on the low northern horizon. With Kp 7 or more you should see Aurora on the higher northern horizon.
Once you find the optimal location and conditions, find a spot to sit back and enjoy the show. The lights often start as a faint glow, then explode into colorful, shimmering curtains that dance across the sky in waves. Shades of green are most common, but you may also see red, pink, purple and blue. Every show is different, so grab some hot cocoa, bundle up, and experience the wonder.
With a little patience and the right circumstances aligning, you'll be gazing up at one of nature's most spectacular displays. The Northern Lights are a dazzling reminder of the beauty and power of our natural world.
Seeing the Northern Lights in North Yorkshire is a magical experience, but you have to time it just right. Aurora can be spotted all-year-round. The best time to spot the Aurora Borealis here is:
Between September and March
During these autumn and winter months, the nights are longer and darker, giving you the best chance of seeing the lights. Late September through October and February through March tend to be especially good as the equinoxes often boost geomagnetic activity.
Check the Kp index forecast for levels of 6 or higher. The higher the number, the better your odds. Some good resources for forecasts are the Aurora Watch UK Facebook group and the Aurora Service from the University of Lancaster (check also the map).
Give your eyes time to adjust to the dark. Avoid looking at bright lights or screens for 30 minutes before viewing. The darker your viewing location, the more visible the lights will be.
Watch for clear, cloudless nights. Any bright moonlight or cloud cover will obscure the lights. Check weather forecasts and live webcams to determine sky conditions.
Get away from city lights. Head to rural, isolated areas like the North York Moors National Park, Yorkshire Dales or Wolds for the best views. Climbing in elevation will also improve your vantage point.
Stay up late or wake up early. Some of the most spectacular displays tend to happen between midnight to 3 AM. But the lights can appear anytime, so start watching the sky as early as 9 PM.
With the right timing and ideal conditions, you'll have a front-row seat to one of nature's most dazzling shows. The vibrant, colorful lights dancing across the starry North Yorkshire sky will leave you in awe and create cherished memories that last a lifetime.
Check our article on how to easily find the best place for Northern Lights viewing in 4 easy steps: Where Can I See the Northern Lights
An easy way to find the darkest place in Yorkshire ideal for Aurora viewing is to use the light pollution map: Light Pollution Maps for Aurora Hunters
The Northern Lights Yorkshire Forecast for 3 days and long-term Aurora forecast for up to 27 days ahead can be found here: Geophysical Institute Forecast, NOAA Aurora Forecast, Spaceweatherlive Forecast and Aurora activity in real-time here: Boreal Webcams
Before going out for your Aurora hunt take Northern Lights Online Course where you will learn all you need to know to successfully hunt for the Northern Lights and significantly increase your chances. This course is designed for beginners so you don't need to worry about not knowing much yet
All-in-one tool for Aurora hunting. Try the new experience.
The North Yorkshire Moors National Park is one of the best places in the UK to spot the Northern Lights. Its remote, wide open spaces away from major cities offer pitch-black skies at night, perfect for Auroral viewing. Here are three of the top spots to see the Northern Lights in all their glory:
Sutton Bank
The viewpoint at Sutton Bank provides panoramic views over the Vale of Mowbray and Howardian Hills. At over 800 feet high, light pollution is minimal. When the Northern Lights are active, Sutton Bank offers an unparalleled vantage point to witness the colorful display dancing across the sky. The stargazing here is also world-class, with thousands of stars visible on a clear night.
Bilsdale Transmitting Station
The Bilsdale Transmitting Station sits atop the North York Moors at over 1,400 feet high. Its isolated location far from towns and cities results in extremely dark night skies, ideal for spotting the Aurora Borealis. When solar activity is strong, the Northern Lights are often visible directly above the transmitter. The transmitter buildings themselves are also quite a sight when bathed in the green glow of the Aurora.
Kielder Observatory
While technically just over the border in Northumberland, the Kielder Observatory is only a 30-minute drive from North Yorkshire. Its remote forest location makes it one of the darkest places in England, perfect for stargazing and viewing the Northern Lights. When the Aurora is active, the Observatory offers all-night Aurora watch events where you can view the lights through high-powered telescopes with the guidance of astronomers. The Observatory's programs are very popular, so booking ahead is recommended.
With scenic natural landscapes, isolated spots far from light pollution, and activity centers catering to astronomy enthusiasts, North Yorkshire has all the right ingredients for a magical Northern Lights experience. Bundle up, set your cameras to long exposure, and enjoy the show!
To increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights in North Yorkshire, there are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind.
Check the Forecasts
The first step is monitoring the space weather forecasts to determine the likelihood of Auroral activity. Several sites like SpaceWeather.com and the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center issue alerts when conditions are favorable for the Northern Lights. They measure the Kp index, which indicates the intensity of geomagnetic activity. A Kp of 6 or higher means the Aurora may be visible in North Yorkshire.
Get Away from Light Pollution
Head to a dark, secluded location away from city lights. The moors, dales and coastline of North Yorkshire offer miles of open countryside perfect for Aurora viewing. Some of the best spots are the North York Moors National Park, the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Flamborough Head. Find an area with an open view of the northern horizon.
Check the Moon Cycle
A dark, moonless night is ideal. The brightness of the moon can drown out the Northern Lights. The week surrounding the New Moon phase is the best time to search for Auroras.
Bundle Up and Bring Supplies
Dress warmly, bring a flashlight with a red light, camp chair, warm drinks and snacks. You may be outside for hours waiting for the lights to appear. A camera, extra batteries and a tripod are useful for capturing photos.
Be Patient and Persistent
Don’t give up if you don’t see the Northern Lights the first night. Some of the strongest displays can happen in the hours around local midnight. Continue monitoring the forecasts and head out whenever the Kp index is 6 or higher. With a little luck and perseverance, you’ll be rewarded with a dazzling display of the Aurora Borealis dancing across the sky.
To capture the Northern Lights on camera in North Yorkshire, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Use a DSLR camera
A digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera works best for low-light photography like the Aurora Borealis. Point-and-shoot cameras typically don’t have the manual settings needed to properly expose night sky images. If you only have a phone or compact camera, you can still get shots, but a DSLR will yield much better results.
Use a wide-angle lens
A wide-angle lens, like 24mm or less, allows you to capture more of the sky and any foreground landscape. The wider the lens, the more of the Aurora you’ll capture in a single shot.
Use a high ISO
Don't be afraid to push your ISO up, even up to 6400 or higher. The higher the ISO, the more sensitive your camera becomes to light. This allows you to capture the Northern Lights even when they appear dim to the eye. You can then reduce any digital noise in post-processing.
Use a long exposure
Longer exposures, typically 3 to 30 seconds, will allow more light into the camera, revealing more detail and color in the Aurora. The longer the exposure, the more the Aurora will streak across the sky. Experiment to get the effect you want.
Use a sturdy tripod
Since you'll be using longer exposures, a tripod is essential to keep the camera steady and prevent blurring. Turn on your camera's timer or a remote shutter release and trip the shutter without touching the camera.
Frame your shot
Compose your shot to include interesting foreground elements like trees, mountains or reflections. Having landscape elements in the frame helps give a sense of scale and place. Leave room in the direction the Aurora is moving for it to "move" into.
Be patient and persistent
The Northern Lights are often dim when they first appear, so be patient. They may start out as a faint glow and then suddenly erupt into a spectacular display. Stay to watch the entire show. The lights often change shape, intensity and move around in the sky.
The most useful Northern Lights online tools for a successful Aurora hunt. Are you about to hunt the Northern Lights on your own? Then you will find these resources helpful. If you are trying to see Aurora for the first time we recommend signing up for the Northern Lights Online Course where is explained step-by-step all you need to know to see the Northern Lights in an easy way.
Northern Lights essential online tools designed for beginners to help you see Aurora like the handy Aurora Mobile App and Northern Lights Online Course will help you to understand how Aurora works and to monitor real-time activity.
The Northern Lights Forecast for 3 days and long-term Aurora forecast for up to 27 days ahead can be found here: Geophysical Institute Forecast, NOAA Aurora Forecast, Spaceweatherlive Forecast or in the Northern Lights App.
Find the best Aurora spots with the light pollution map and cloud cover prediction.
Northern Lights activity in real-time: Real-time Aurora activity (worldwide magnetometers), Solar Wind activity, Sun's activity, Aurora live Boreal webcams list or Aurora App.
Additional resources to know when it will be dark enough Darkness graph & Map and how much the moon will illuminate the sky Moon Phase + Moonrise & Moonset.
If you decide to go with professional Aurora hunters here you can find the top-rated Aurora Tours.
So there you have it, everything you need to know to catch a glimpse of the dazzling Northern Lights right here in North Yorkshire. With the right timing, location, and a little luck, you'll be gazing up at the colorful glow of the Aurora Borealis dancing across the night sky before you know it. Pack your camera, bundle up, find your perfect stargazing spot, and enjoy one of the greatest natural wonders the universe has to offer. The spectacle of the Northern Lights is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you'll never forget. Head out under the cover of darkness, look north, and let the celestial show begin!
All you courses are designed for beginners and people who never saw the Northern Lights. You can learn about the Northern Lights in an easy way. Enroll Now!