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 08 Oct, 11:14 (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, Oct 08 | 1.7 | 12% | 79% | 1 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Fri, Oct 09 | 5.7 | 6% | 62% | 20 | Possible if you are away from city lights. |
| Sat, Oct 10 | 4.0 | 2% | 36% | 16 | Low chance, only the strongest auroras will show. |
| Sun, Oct 11 | 4.0 | 0% | 86% | 4 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Mon, Oct 12 | 3.0* | 0% | 100% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Tue, Oct 13 | 3.0* | 3% | 42% | 3 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Wed, Oct 14 | 3.0* | 8% | 84% | 1 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Thu, Oct 15 | 3.0* | 14% | 57% | 2 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Fri, Oct 16 | 3.0* | 22% | 97% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Sat, Oct 17 | 3.0* | 32% | 99% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Sun, Oct 18 | 3.0* | 42% | 83% | 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% | 66% | 1 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Wed, Oct 21 | 3.0* | 73% | 95% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
- Thu, Oct 081Max Kp: 1.7Moon: 12%Clouds: 79%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Fri, Oct 0920Max Kp: 5.7Moon: 6%Clouds: 62%Possible if you are away from city lights.
- Sat, Oct 1016Max Kp: 4.0Moon: 2%Clouds: 36%Low chance, only the strongest auroras will show.
- Sun, Oct 114Max Kp: 4.0Moon: 0%Clouds: 86%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Mon, Oct 120Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 0%Clouds: 100%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Tue, Oct 133Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 3%Clouds: 42%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Wed, Oct 141Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 8%Clouds: 84%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Thu, Oct 152Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 14%Clouds: 57%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Fri, Oct 160Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 22%Clouds: 97%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Sat, Oct 170Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 32%Clouds: 99%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Sun, Oct 181Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 42%Clouds: 83%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: 66%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Wed, Oct 210Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 73%Clouds: 95%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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04:00 | 5.3 | G1 | 3 h | Yes | |
| 19:00 | 5.7 | G1 | 3 h | Yes | |
| 10:00 | 5.0 | G1 | 3 h | Yes |
About magnetic storms in Belfast
Magnetic storm in Belfast today: planetary Kp = 1.7 (quiet). Over the last 7 days the maximum Kp above Belfast reached 5.7 (G1); 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 2.7 around 16:00 local time and dipped to 1.0. The planetary trend over the past 6 hours is steady — no sharp changes near Belfast right now. 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 +8.4°C, atmospheric pressure 766.4 mm Hg (1021.8 hPa), cloud cover 27%, humidity 81%, wind 8.6 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 16:42 local time, sunrise tomorrow at 05:38. Moon phase — waning crescent with 10% disk illumination. Clear sky and low moonlight make the window favorable — with enough Kp, the aurora may be visible even from within city limits..