Stargazers hoping to see the Northern Lights as a result of the powerful solar flare hurtling towards Earth may be left disappointed.
While there is a possibility the 'extreme' solar storm will affect communications and power systems later today, reports in the national media have suggested it will also increase the chances of seeing the aurora borealis - or Northern Lights - much further south than normal.
But the Met Office says people in Hull and East Yorkshire will be 'very lucky' if they catch a glimpse of the beautiful colours, caused by electrically charged solar particles hitting the atmosphere, flashing through the sky.
A Met Office spokesman said: 'There is quite a lot of cloud around today and tonight, although it is patchy, so there is a chance of clear skies at some point, but I think the likelihood of the Northern Lights being visible so far south is small - although it is possible.'
The solar storm, or coronal mass ejection, is making its way to Earth at a rate of 2.5 million miles an hour after a giant magnetic explosion on the sun.
It could affect power grids, satellites and radio transmissions, although scientists have said they 'aren't scared' of the storm, as it will barely skim the planet.
People in Hull and the East Riding enjoyed a rare glimpse of the Northern Lights in February, as a result of a strong magnetic storm.
Posted by Unknown on Friday, September 12, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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