Image: Mike Jakob
Northern Lights Across Europe and North America
On 19 January 2026, skies over large parts of Europe and North America offered an extraordinary natural spectacle. Triggered by one of the strongest solar storms in more than 20 years, geomagnetic activity reached Kp levels of up to 9. As a result of the extreme solar activity, the aurora borealis extended into unusually southern regions and was visible in many places.
In Scandinavia, conditions were once again ideal. In northern Norway, northern Sweden, and Finland, the northern lights appeared intensely and dynamically over several hours. Bright green arcs, pulsating curtains, and occasional violet hues dominated the night sky, offering observers an impressive display.
Particularly remarkable, however, was the southward expansion of the aurora. In Scotland and parts of northern England, numerous sightings were reported. There, the northern lights were in some cases even visible to the naked eye – an event considered exceptional at these latitudes.
The night also caused a stir in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and France. Although the aurora was mostly visible only as a faint reddish-green glow on the northern horizon, this very rarity made the observations spectacular. For many observers – such as Zurich resident Mike Jakob – it was a rare moment to witness the usually Arctic phenomenon in their own sky. After receiving an alert via his aurora app, Jakob set out on foot to Zurich’s local mountain, Uetliberg, to experience the spectacle up close.
In the United States, visibility likewise extended far beyond the traditional auroral regions. In addition to Alaska, northern states around the Great Lakes also reported striking observations.
Marcel Schütz, PolarJournal