Magnetic storms in Edinburgh
Magnetic storms in Edinburgh, Scotland today. Current Kp index, 3-day forecast for Edinburgh, local time, geomagnetic latitude and aurora visibility chance.
Data as of 09 Oct, 13:53 (Europe/London).
Weather in Edinburgh
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.
Sleep and geomagnetic storms
Why sleep quality drops during storm days, how geomagnetic activity relates to melatonin and sleep architecture.
HealthChronic conditions and geomagnetic storms
How diabetes, arthritis, asthma and autoimmune conditions behave during geomagnetic disturbances.
HealthChildren and geomagnetic storms
Whether geomagnetic fluctuations affect children's sleep, behaviour and mood, and what the research shows.
Health
Local context
Sensitivity · Edinburgh
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 Edinburgh
Magnetic storm in Edinburgh: 3-day Kp chart
Aurora forecast in Edinburgh
| Date | Max Kp | Moon | Clouds | Score | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 09 | 6.0 | 6% | 69% | 24 | Possible if you are away from city lights. |
| Sat, Oct 10 | 4.0 | 2% | 58% | 10 | Low chance, only the strongest auroras will show. |
| Sun, Oct 11 | 5.7 | 0% | 20% | 44 | Possible if you are away from city lights. |
| Mon, Oct 12 | 3.0 | 0% | 94% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Tue, Oct 13 | 3.0* | 3% | 64% | 2 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Wed, Oct 14 | 3.0* | 8% | 90% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Thu, Oct 15 | 3.0* | 14% | 88% | 1 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Fri, Oct 16 | 3.0* | 22% | 52% | 2 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Sat, Oct 17 | 3.0* | 32% | 99% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Sun, Oct 18 | 3.0* | 42% | 96% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Mon, Oct 19 | 3.0* | 52% | 54% | 2 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Tue, Oct 20 | 3.0* | 63% | 37% | 2 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Wed, Oct 21 | 3.0* | 73% | 100% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Thu, Oct 22 | 3.0* | 82% | 74% | 1 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
- Fri, Oct 0924Max Kp: 6.0Moon: 6%Clouds: 69%Possible if you are away from city lights.
- Sat, Oct 1010Max Kp: 4.0Moon: 2%Clouds: 58%Low chance, only the strongest auroras will show.
- Sun, Oct 1144Max Kp: 5.7Moon: 0%Clouds: 20%Possible if you are away from city lights.
- Mon, Oct 120Max Kp: 3.0Moon: 0%Clouds: 94%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Tue, Oct 132Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 3%Clouds: 64%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Wed, Oct 140Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 8%Clouds: 90%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Thu, Oct 151Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 14%Clouds: 88%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Fri, Oct 162Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 22%Clouds: 52%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Sat, Oct 170Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 32%Clouds: 99%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Sun, Oct 180Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 42%Clouds: 96%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Mon, Oct 192Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 52%Clouds: 54%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Tue, Oct 202Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 63%Clouds: 37%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Wed, Oct 210Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 73%Clouds: 100%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Thu, Oct 221Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 82%Clouds: 74%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 Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh (geomagnetic latitude 58.2°), 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 |
Nearby cities
About magnetic storms in Edinburgh
Magnetic storm in Edinburgh today: planetary Kp = 1.7 (quiet). Over the last 7 days the maximum Kp above Edinburgh reached 5.7 (G1); storm days (G1+) this week: 2.
Edinburgh sits at geomagnetic latitude 58.2°. The nearest magnetic observatory continuously recording the field is Lviv, 1913 km away. Population 514,990.
Edinburgh lies in the sub-auroral zone (58.2°), 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 Edinburgh (sub-auroral zone, 58.2°) 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 Edinburgh during the last 24 hours. Kp reached a maximum of 4.0 around 10:00 local time and dipped to 1.3. The planetary trend over the past 6 hours is rising — conditions near Edinburgh may intensify further. So far this month the planet has logged 2 days with a G1 or stronger geomagnetic storm.
Aurora visibility threshold for Edinburgh. At a geomagnetic latitude of 58.2°, the minimum Kp giving a realistic chance of visible auroras above Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh right now. Temperature +13.9°C, atmospheric pressure 742.6 mm Hg (990.1 hPa), cloud cover 100%, humidity 94%, wind 19.1 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 Edinburgh page shows both indicators side by side. Weather data from Open-Meteo (CC BY).
Aurora viewing window for Edinburgh tonight. Sunset is at 16:27 local time, sunrise tomorrow at 05:31. Moon phase — waning crescent with 4% 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..