Magnetic storms in Belfast
Magnetic storms in Belfast, Northern Ireland today. Current Kp index, 3-day forecast for Belfast, local time, geomagnetic latitude and aurora visibility chance.
Data as of 12 Jun, 06:10 (Europe/London).
Weather in Belfast
Weather data: Open-Meteo (CC BY).
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Local context
Sensitivity · Belfast
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 Belfast
Magnetic storm in Belfast: 3-day Kp chart
Aurora forecast in Belfast
| Date | Max Kp | Moon | Clouds | Score | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Jun 11 | — | 19% | 100% | — | Kp forecast is not yet available for this date. |
| Fri, Jun 12 | 4.7 | 12% | 51% | 11 | Low chance, only the strongest auroras will show. |
| Sat, Jun 13 | 5.7 | 6% | 89% | 6 | Low chance, only the strongest auroras will show. |
| Sun, Jun 14 | 4.7 | 2% | 98% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Mon, Jun 15 | 2.0 | 0% | 90% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Tue, Jun 16 | 3.0* | 1% | 88% | 1 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Wed, Jun 17 | 3.0* | 3% | 91% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Thu, Jun 18 | 3.0* | 8% | 54% | 2 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Fri, Jun 19 | 3.0* | 15% | 27% | 3 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Sat, Jun 20 | 3.0* | 23% | 76% | 1 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Sun, Jun 21 | 3.0* | 33% | 81% | 1 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Mon, Jun 22 | 3.0* | 43% | 77% | 1 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Tue, Jun 23 | 3.0* | 54% | 86% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Wed, Jun 24 | 3.0* | 64% | 100% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Thu, Jun 25 | 3.0* | 74% | — | 2 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
- Thu, Jun 11no dataMax Kp: —Moon: 19%Clouds: 100%Kp forecast is not yet available for this date.
- Fri, Jun 1211Max Kp: 4.7Moon: 12%Clouds: 51%Low chance, only the strongest auroras will show.
- Sat, Jun 136Max Kp: 5.7Moon: 6%Clouds: 89%Low chance, only the strongest auroras will show.
- Sun, Jun 140Max Kp: 4.7Moon: 2%Clouds: 98%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Mon, Jun 150Max Kp: 2.0Moon: 0%Clouds: 90%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Tue, Jun 161Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 1%Clouds: 88%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Wed, Jun 170Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 3%Clouds: 91%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Thu, Jun 182Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 8%Clouds: 54%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Fri, Jun 193Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 15%Clouds: 27%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Sat, Jun 201Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 23%Clouds: 76%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Sun, Jun 211Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 33%Clouds: 81%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Mon, Jun 221Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 43%Clouds: 77%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Tue, Jun 230Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 54%Clouds: 86%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Wed, Jun 240Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 64%Clouds: 100%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Thu, Jun 252Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 74%Clouds: —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 Belfast 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 Belfast (geomagnetic latitude 57.3°), auroras are possible from Kp ≥ 5.
| Date | Peak | Max Kp | Level | Duration | Aurora visible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:00 | 5.0 | G1 | 3 h | Yes | |
| 16:00 | 6.3 | G2 | 12 h | Yes |
About magnetic storms in Belfast
Magnetic storm in Belfast today: planetary Kp = 3.7 (quiet). Over the last 7 days the maximum Kp above Belfast reached 6.3 (G2); storm days (G1+) this week: 2.
Belfast sits at geomagnetic latitude 57.3°. The nearest magnetic observatory continuously recording the field is Lviv, 2070 km away. Population 348,005.
Belfast lies in the sub-auroral zone (57.3°), 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 Belfast (sub-auroral zone, 57.3°) 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 Belfast during the last 24 hours. Kp reached a maximum of 5.0 around 19:00 local time and dipped to 2.3. The planetary trend over the past 6 hours is falling — the magnetosphere near Belfast is in the recovery phase. So far this month the planet has logged 2 days with a G1 or stronger geomagnetic storm.
Aurora visibility threshold for Belfast. At a geomagnetic latitude of 57.3°, the minimum Kp giving a realistic chance of visible auroras above Belfast 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 Belfast right now. Temperature +12.8°C, atmospheric pressure 759.9 mm Hg (1013.1 hPa), cloud cover 73%, humidity 75%, wind 11.5 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 Belfast page shows both indicators side by side. Weather data from Open-Meteo (CC BY).
Aurora viewing window for Belfast tonight. Sunset is at 19:59 local time, sunrise tomorrow at 02:48. Moon phase — waning crescent with 10% disk illumination. Heavy cloud cover lowers the chance of seeing auroras even during a strong storm — it may be worth waiting for the next clear night..