The Met Office gives its verdict on the return of the Aurora Borealis tonight

The Northern Lights are expected to be visible “everywhere in the UK” on Sunday 12 May. The potential for extreme geomagnetic activity means the northern lights could return for a third night in a row.

After a spectacular show on Friday, Saturday proved to be a bit more muted – although many still saw the daylight show. According to BBC meteorologist Simon King, there is still a chance people will be able to tick the phenomenon off their bucket list later, although poor weather conditions could “be a problem for some”.

He posted on X: “After last night’s #NorthernLights disappointment, there is still plenty of solar activity, so potential tonight (though clouds/showers may be a problem for some). It is unlikely to be as good as Friday night, but severe geomagnetic levels (G4) are forecast.

READ MORE: Northern Lights – the free alert that means you’ll never miss the ‘bucket list’ event.

The Met Office has also had its say on the possibility of sightings. A spokesman said: “Further coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are expected through Sunday, although with less certainty about their arrival times and intensity compared to those that hit Earth late on Friday.

“Previous CMEs intensified aurora displays in the UK on Friday evening and intermittently in parts of the UK on Saturday evening. Auroral activity is expected to intensify again at times in parts of the UK on Sunday night, most likely in northern areas where skies remain clear, with only a small chance of them being visible to the naked eye in southern regions .”

The spokesman concluded: “The forecast is for much more cloud in many parts of the UK this evening, with heavy showers at times. Any sightings will be much reduced compared to Friday and Saturday evenings. Saturday night hit the G4 power.”