Clouds ruin Northern Lights for hundreds of motorists

• On Friday night bands of pink and green light were seen across the UK
• But on Saturday stargazers' plans were scuppered after Aurora failed to appear 

Hundreds of motorists flocked to beauty spots across the country to see the Northern Lights last night, only to be left bitterly disappointed after clouds ruined the spectacle.

On Friday night bands of pink and green light were seen across the UK and in parts of Europe after an 'extreme' geomagnetic storm caused them to be more visible, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

And experts predicted that the Aurora would light up Britain's skies again on Saturday night in northern parts of the UK, including Scotland, Northern Ireland and the far north of England.

But stargazers' plans were scuppered after the breathtaking lights failed to show up in a number of viewpoints around the country.

West Yorkshire Police were called to Castle Hill in Huddersfield after around 200 cars became stuck as stargazers arrived in their droves to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

Cars stuck in traffic in the Peak District while waiting to see the Northern Lights. Hundreds of motorists flocked to beauty spots across the country to see the Aurora last night, only to be left bitterly disappointed after clouds ruined the spectacle

West Yorkshire Police were called to Castle Hill in Huddersfield (pictured) after around 200 cars became stuck as stargazers arrived in their droves to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights

Sightings were reported across the UK on Saturday night. The lights are pictured here on Denbigh Moors in Wales

Tempers soon began to flare with the Aurora absent and vehicles remaining stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Officers then had to intervene to sort the situation out with cars at a standstill for 40 minutes once people realised the lights had eluded them.

One disappointed punter said: 'We went to see the lights and noticed Castle Hill was busier than usual.

'On arriving, we met up to 100 cars battling to get a space in an already full car park.

'We struggled to get out and was stuck in traffic for 40 mins. The police turned up to help traffic.

'People were getting annoyed with the amount of cars there.'

It comes after hundreds of drivers took to the Peak District roads to spot the phenomenon last night - only to see a stream of blinding headlights.

'The roads out to the Peak District were like the M1,' said Ben Green, who drove out from Sheffield to Stanage Edge at around 10.15pm amd described a 'constant flow of cars' driving further into the Peak District.

Chris Snell, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said there were sightings 'from top to tail across the country' (pictured: the lights seen from Denbigh Moors in Wales)

Mr Snell said: 'It is hard to fully predict what will happen in the Earth's atmosphere, but there will still be enhanced solar activity tonight, so the lights could be visible again in northern parts of the UK' (pictured: the lights seen from Denbigh Moors in Wales)

'I've lived here all my life and in 40 years I've never seen the roads so busy, even on a hot summer's day.

'The sheer number of people was bonkers in what is usually a quiet rural area.

'It was like a festival, people were parking up and some had camping chairs.. At the time you think you're the only person having this idea.'

Debbie Howard, who travelled out to Burbage Edge, said the only lights she saw were car headlights.

She posted on X: 'Yay! I saw the Northern Lights. But not the ones I was expecting.

'Just all us northerners blinding each other with our car headlights hoping to catch the Aurora Borealis in the Peak District.'

She added in a separate comment: 'It was actually great to see so many people out there hoping for a sighting of the Aurora. Appreciating nature.

'I guess we just didn't anticipate so many doing the same thing.'

Nick M posted photos of a busy traffic and said: 'Chaos in the Peak District last night as literally everyone attempted to catch sight of the Northern Lights.

'Nothing seen, apart from headlights.'

Meanwhile, Aurora lovers in London headed up Parliament Hill for a memorable astronomical display - only to be left scratching their heads as to why it didn't show up.

The person who took the video wrote in a caption: 'Thousands here tonight compared to last night. Activity seems to have decreased but fingers crossed.

Crowds of sky gazers gathered in London to catch a glimpse of a second night of Northern Lights - only to be left scratching their heads as to why they didn't show up

On Friday night bands of pink and green light were seen across the UK and in parts of Europe after an 'extreme' geomagnetic storm caused them to be more visible (pictured: the lights at Great Brington, Northamptonshire at around midnight on Friday)

'Also G5 storm possible tomorrow night.'

Chris Snell, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said there were sightings 'from top to tail across the country'.

He said: 'It is hard to fully predict what will happen in the Earth's atmosphere, but there will still be enhanced solar activity tonight, so the lights could be visible again in northern parts of the UK, including Scotland, Northern Ireland and the far north of England.'

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