The Northern Lights may be visible over large parts of Ireland, including Dublin, this New Year’s Eve.
The phenomenon, also known as the Aurora borealis, is usually only visible here between May and August but prediction models are showing it might well appear over half of the country tonight. There was major flare activity on the sun yesterday with Aurora Alerts Ireland saying this means there is a potential for a “strong aurora” this evening.
Experts say the weather event may be visible from 6pm this evening until 3am tomorrow morning, meaning revellers may be able to view it as they ring in the new year. However it will only be viewable if there is no cloud cover.
Professor Peter Gallagher of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies believes there will be an Aurora tonight. “A solar storm took off from the sun yesterday, which takes a couple of days to get to us, and it’s forecast this solar storm will arrive at the earth tomorrow evening,” he told The Journal.
“That means that from about 6pm tomorrow evening, until approximately 3am the next morning, the flare is expected to hit, which will produce the Aurora. It will then be quiet again by the following day.”
But Professor Gallagher warned the chances of viewing the lights would depend on whether there was cloud or not. And Met Eireann’s forecast for Dublin may make the Aurora difficult to see with cloudy conditions expected.
Today’s forecast reads: “Rather cloudy and wet this morning with a band of rain drifting south. The rain will gradually ease later but will persist through the afternoon with a brisk westerly breeze. Highest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees.”
And while there may be a chance of some cloud clearing later the overnight forecast warns of heavy rain which may scupper the chances of seeing the lights. Tonight’s forecast reads: “Staying cloudy with rain persisting, possibly heavy at times too. Westerly breezes will be strong and gusty for a times but ease overnight. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 3 degrees.”
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