With the recent solar activity
e.g. See SDO pick of the week feb 17th 2011

I have heard stories that the aurora will be observable latitudes which are far from the poles. After hearing this rumour I took a look at the space weather auroral activity chart.
( see Auroral Activity Extrapolated from NOAA POES ).

These charts show that auroral oval extends far beyond the poles and for my location in the middle of England there is a mesurable degree of energetic particles. Under what sort of conditions could aurora be observed from my location (close to the edge of the auroral ) could the aurora be observed?

The NOAA/POES website provides good guidelines for viewing the aurora butas solar cycle 24 progresses what tips can people recommend for observing the aurora?

By the way its cloudy here!