Northern Lights could be visible across Scotland into New Year's Day

The Northern Lights are set to be visible across Scotland’s skies as we enter into the New Year.

The stunning Aurora Borealis could appear on Hogmanay after around 8pm as revellers prepare to welcome in 2025.

The phenomenon comes amid an amber weather warning for parts of the country, with heavy rain and snow expected.

Travel disruption has been recorded across many parts of the north, with trains being cancelled and “hazardous” road conditions closing major routes.

There is a chance of seeing the Northern Lights this #NewYearsEve across Scotland, Northern Ireland and possibly northern England depending on the cloud cover 👀 pic.twitter.com/rDztDroa45
— Met Office (@metoffice) December 31, 2024

The Met Office says the lights will likely be seen across the north of Scotland in the final hours of 2024.

Auroral displays occur when charged particles collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere around the magnetic poles.

Light is emitted at various wavelengths as they collide, creating colourful displays in the sky.

In the northern hemisphere, most of this activity takes place within a band known as the aurora oval, covering latitudes between 60 and 75 degrees.

When activity is strong, this expands to cover a greater area, which explains why displays can occasionally be seen as far south as the UK.

The Met Office said on X: “There is a chance of seeing the Northern Lights this New Year’s Eve across Scotland, Northern Ireland and possibly northern England, depending on the cloud cover.”