Northern Lights Create Magical Night Over Formby

Residents in Formby were treated to a truly breathtaking sight as the Northern Lights lit up the night sky, with stunning displays visible along Formby beach, the dunes and even above the pinewoods.

Shimmering hues of pink, purple and green were captured dancing across the horizon, creating an unforgettable scene rarely seen this far south. Many locals stepped outside late in the evening after reports spread quickly, with cameras in hand to capture the moment.

The rare display followed an extreme space weather alert issued by the Met Office on Monday 19 January. The alert came after a powerful solar flare erupted from the sun, releasing a coronal mass ejection (CME), a huge burst of charged particles heading towards Earth.

The Met Office confirmed the CME is expected to reach Earth late Monday or early Tuesday, potentially triggering a strong geomagnetic storm, which can push the Northern Lights far beyond their usual northern locations.

Auroras form when charged solar particles collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere near the magnetic poles. During periods of intense solar activity, the usual aurora zone expands, allowing places like Formby to experience this spectacular natural phenomenon.

For those lucky enough to witness it, the lights over Formby created a moment of wonder, a rare and magical reminder of just how special our coastline can be, both by day and by night.