Will the Northern Lights be visible over Shropshire on New Year's Eve? Here's what the experts say

Sky-watchers in Shropshire have been put on alert that the Northern Lights could put on a timely new year show – if the clouds part.

The Met Office says a coronal mass ejection left the surface of the sun on Sunday and is heading in an earthbound direction.

Space-watchers have issued a geomagnetic storm watch for a G3 category storm from 12pm (noon) on December 31 to 12pm on January 1.

A G3 storm could see the Northern Lights become visible as far south as Wales and and Midlands.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said that aurora sightings are possible on New Year’s Eve.

“A coronal mass ejection (CME) which left the Sun early on December 29 is expected to arrive on New Year’s Eve.”

But they add that we will need the clouds to part to see them.

“But, although the Northern Lights may be in place, visibility could hamper any sightings,” they add.

In October this year, amazed Shropshire residents were able to see the brilliant colours of the Northern Lights with the naked eye, and plenty snapped incredible photographs of the Aurora lighting up various corners of the county.

See the best photos from the last time Shropshire saw the Aurora here.