Magnetic storms in Bolton
Magnetic storms in Bolton, England today. Current Kp index, 3-day forecast for Bolton, local time, geomagnetic latitude and aurora visibility chance.
Data as of 08 Oct, 17:43 (Europe/London).
Weather in Bolton
Weather data: Open-Meteo (CC BY).
Health and geomagnetic storms
A small library on how geomagnetic activity is associated with blood pressure, migraine, sleep, the cardiovascular system, anxiety and general wellbeing. Backed by peer-reviewed research, free of medical advice.
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Local context
Sensitivity · Bolton
High sensitivity (sub-auroral zone)
Kp is a planetary index — the same globally. Local impact depends on geomagnetic latitude: the higher it is, the more noticeable the storm.
14-day calendar with Kp, moon and cloud factors
Seven quick questions and personal tips
Geomagnetic context for Bolton
Magnetic storm in Bolton: 3-day Kp chart
Aurora forecast in Bolton
| Date | Max Kp | Moon | Clouds | Score | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Oct 08 | 1.7 | 12% | 43% | 3 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Fri, Oct 09 | 5.7 | 6% | 86% | 7 | Low chance, only the strongest auroras will show. |
| Sat, Oct 10 | 4.0 | 2% | 52% | 12 | Low chance, only the strongest auroras will show. |
| Sun, Oct 11 | 4.0 | 0% | 70% | 8 | Low chance, only the strongest auroras will show. |
| Mon, Oct 12 | 3.0* | 0% | 100% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Tue, Oct 13 | 3.0* | 3% | 51% | 2 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Wed, Oct 14 | 3.0* | 8% | 77% | 1 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Thu, Oct 15 | 3.0* | 14% | 82% | 1 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Fri, Oct 16 | 3.0* | 22% | 72% | 1 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Sat, Oct 17 | 3.0* | 32% | 94% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Sun, Oct 18 | 3.0* | 42% | 82% | 1 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Mon, Oct 19 | 3.0* | 52% | 100% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Tue, Oct 20 | 3.0* | 63% | 62% | 1 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Wed, Oct 21 | 3.0* | 73% | 88% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
- Thu, Oct 083Max Kp: 1.7Moon: 12%Clouds: 43%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Fri, Oct 097Max Kp: 5.7Moon: 6%Clouds: 86%Low chance, only the strongest auroras will show.
- Sat, Oct 1012Max Kp: 4.0Moon: 2%Clouds: 52%Low chance, only the strongest auroras will show.
- Sun, Oct 118Max Kp: 4.0Moon: 0%Clouds: 70%Low chance, only the strongest auroras will show.
- Mon, Oct 120Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 0%Clouds: 100%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Tue, Oct 132Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 3%Clouds: 51%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Wed, Oct 141Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 8%Clouds: 77%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Thu, Oct 151Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 14%Clouds: 82%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Fri, Oct 161Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 22%Clouds: 72%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Sat, Oct 170Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 32%Clouds: 94%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Sun, Oct 181Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 42%Clouds: 82%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Mon, Oct 190Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 52%Clouds: 100%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Tue, Oct 201Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 63%Clouds: 62%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Wed, Oct 210Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 73%Clouds: 88%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
* Days marked with an asterisk do not have a direct NOAA forecast yet. If we have observations from 27 days ago, we use Bartels recurrence (the Sun rotates roughly every 27 days, so active regions often return with the same period). When no history is available, we substitute a baseline value typical for the current solar cycle 25 peak (Kp 3.0). Accuracy is lower than the direct three-day forecast.
How the score works
The composite score combines three signals: how strong the storm needs to be at your geomagnetic latitude, how bright the moon will be (a full moon hides faint auroras), and how cloudy the sky will be that night. A score of 70 or higher is excellent, 45 to 70 is good, below 20 means you probably will not see anything.
Magnetic storms in Bolton over the last 30 days
Geomagnetic storms of class G1 and above recorded over the past month. Times are shown in the city's local timezone (GMT+1).
In Bolton (geomagnetic latitude 55.8°), auroras are possible from Kp ≥ 6.
| Date | Peak | Max Kp | Level | Duration | Aurora visible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04:00 | 5.3 | G1 | 3 h | No | |
| 19:00 | 5.7 | G1 | 3 h | Yes | |
| 10:00 | 5.0 | G1 | 3 h | No |
Nearby cities
About magnetic storms in Bolton
Magnetic storm in Bolton today: planetary Kp = 0.7 (quiet). Over the last 7 days the maximum Kp above Bolton reached 5.7 (G1); storm days (G1+) this week: 2.
Bolton sits at geomagnetic latitude 55.8°. The nearest magnetic observatory continuously recording the field is Lviv, 1837 km away. Population 141,331.
Bolton lies in the sub-auroral zone (55.8°), where storms are felt several times per year. At G3 and stronger, weather-sensitive residents may experience blood-pressure changes, headaches and sleep issues; pensioners and people with hypertension should watch the forecast. During a storm, drink more water, avoid alcohol and strong coffee, and reduce intense physical exertion.
Technical consequences for Bolton (sub-auroral zone, 55.8°) appear from G4 upward: GPS and HF radio may degrade, precise positioning can drift, and northern power grids in the region carry a measurable GIC risk during the strongest events. Drivers on long routes should track the forecast for the next 24 to 72 hours. Source: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, updated every 10 minutes.
Over Bolton during the last 24 hours. Kp reached a maximum of 2.3 around 19:00 local time and dipped to 1.0. The planetary trend over the past 6 hours is rising — conditions near Bolton may intensify further. So far this month the planet has logged 2 days with a G1 or stronger geomagnetic storm.
Aurora visibility threshold for Bolton. At a geomagnetic latitude of 55.8°, the minimum Kp giving a realistic chance of visible auroras above Bolton is about Kp ≥ 5. The current equatorial Dst index is 0 nT — the magnetosphere is in a quiet phase. Dst complements Kp by showing how long and how deep a storm's main phase has been — useful context when checking whether auroras are likely tonight.
Weather and atmospheric pressure in Bolton right now. Temperature +6.5°C, atmospheric pressure 756 mm Hg (1007.9 hPa), cloud cover 0%, humidity 78%, wind 9.7 km/h. During G1+ geomagnetic storms, swings in atmospheric pressure tend to amplify symptoms for weather-sensitive people: those with hypertension often notice blood-pressure spikes, and readings below 1000 hPa combined with Kp ≥ 5 frequently bring headaches and fatigue. That is why the Bolton page shows both indicators side by side. Weather data from Open-Meteo (CC BY).
Aurora viewing window for Bolton tonight. Sunset is at 16:29 local time, sunrise tomorrow at 05:23. Moon phase — waning crescent with 8% disk illumination. Clear sky and low moonlight make the window favorable — with enough Kp, the aurora may be visible even from within city limits..