Northern lights paint Midlands skies colourful hues

5 hours ago

Oprah FlashWest Midlands

Stargazers in Ellesmere, Shropshire, captured this spectactular array of colours in the sky

BBC Weather Watchers/Debbie A dark landscape in Shropshire with purple and blue skies above because of the Northern Lights — Stargazers in Ellesmere, Shropshire, captured this spectactular array of colours in the sky

Skies across the West Midlands were aglow with stunning shades of purple, pink, blue and green due to a rare display of the Northern Lights on Saturday night.

While the natural phenomenon, known as the Aurora Borealis, is typically associated with locations much further north, strong solar activity meant it was visible in parts of the UK where sightings are far less common.

The Met Office has said sightings could continue to be possible during clear skies until Tuesday.

The spectacular views prompted residents across Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire and Nuneaton to send in their photographs to the BBC.

In Hereford, residents could see a hint of green and dark pink and they looked up at the sky

BBC Weather Watchers / Paull A dark landscape speckled with lights and dark pink and green shades in the clouds — In Hereford, residents could see a hint of green and dark pink and they looked up at the sky

The Northern Lights occur when charged particles from the Sun interact with gases in the Earth's atmosphere, creating bright bands of light.

Towards the end of last week, the Sun was observed to unleash CMEs directed towards the Earth.

The colours seen depend on the type of gas involved and the altitude at which the reaction takes place.

On Saturday evening, a photographer captured this stunning view in Wigmore, Herefordshire

BBC Weather Watchers/Harry the Springer In the foreground there are some tall trees and the sky is a shade of pink, purple and green — On Saturday evening, a photographer captured this stunning view in Wigmore, Herefordshire

Although conditions need to be right for the aurora to be visible, experts said recent solar activity increased the chances of sightings across much of the UK.

The chances of seeing the aurora vary across the UK depending on its strength. When activity levels reach 200nT (nanotesla) the aurora would be visible in the north of the UK, but not the south.

In Shropshire's Church Stretton the Northern Lights transformed the skyline into an array of colours

BBC Weather Watchers/M Halstead A green glow from the Northern Lights illuminates the night sky above a rural landscape, with stars visible overhead. In the foreground, a fenced field and a lone tree can be seen, while distant town lights shimmer along the horizon beneath low clouds. — In Shropshire's Church Stretton the Northern Lights transformed the skyline into an array of colours

On Saturday evening, those levels reached 600nT, meaning it would be visible across the whole of the UK, even in the south, which is a much rarer phenomenon.

If you missed out this time, the aurora may return on Sunday.

To see them, you need to look northwards, away from bright street lights, and look through a mobile phone camera.

The Northern Lights cast a purple and dark blue glow over the sky above Leominster during Saturday night's rare aurora display.

BBC Weather Watchers/Powerwalk A purple glow from the Northern Lights lights up the night sky above a silhouetted rooftop. A weather vane stands on top of the building, while stars are visible overhead and dark trees frame the scene on either side. — The Northern Lights cast a purple and dark blue glow over the sky above Leominster during Saturday night's rare aurora display.

Clouds parted briefly over Nuneaton to reveal a faint purple glow

BBC Weather Watchers/Ria A faint purple glow can be seen in the night sky between patches of cloud, with stars visible in clearer areas. The silhouettes of trees and rooftops line the horizon, while the illuminated clouds create a dramatic backdrop to the subtle aurora display. — Clouds parted briefly over Nuneaton to reveal a faint purple glow

Purple and green hues from the Northern Lights lit up the sky above Mow Cop in Staffordshire

BBC Weather Watchers/Radar A vivid display of the Northern Lights creates bands of purple and green across a clear, star-filled night sky. In the foreground, a large tree stands behind a wooden fence, while low clouds sit along the horizon. — Purple and green hues from the Northern Lights lit up the sky above Mow Cop in Staffordshire

A photographer in Wolverhampton also caught a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis

BBC Weather Watchers/clcsimon A green and purple glow from the Northern Lights stretches across the night sky above a dark rural landscape. — A photographer in Wolverhampton also caught a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis

Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

Northern lights paint Midlands skies colourful hues

Northern Lights stun UK down to England's south coast

Your photos: Northern Lights dazzle in the skies

Your photos: Northern Lights and heavy rain

Northern Lights in rare West Midlands display

Northern Lights dazzle North East and Cumbria skies

Northern Lights dazzles skies across the UK

Northern Lights illuminate the East of England

Seventh man arrested after Black Country shooting

Your photos: Curious cows, striking sunsets and autumn fungi

Why are so many four-year-olds not potty-trained before school?

The students using their struggles to help others

Six arrests after gunshots fired in street