Taurid activity having started during October continues well into November from both northern and southern radiants. Although specific dates are often quoted for Taurid maximum, the shower has no sharp peak and observed rates of about half a dozen Taurids per hour can be seen from reasonably dark sites throughout the first fortnight of November.

Both Taurid radiants (see the chart below for their location on a particular night) are above the horizon throughout the night, with the best rates likely to be seen around the middle of the night. The Moon, having been Full on Oct 29 will quickly recede from the evening sky during early November, reaching New Moon by Nov 12.

Leonid activity occurs for about a week from Nov 14-21, although a few "outliers" have been detected in early and late November. Although the storm level enhancements seen in 1999, 2001 and 2002 will not recur for several decades, there have been enhancements in rates due to encounters with lesser filaments in some years, most recently in 2008 and 2009.

Peak rates in 2012 will probably occur on November 17th (a Saturday), although there is also a prediction of a possible enhancement to a ZHR of around 10 at around 06hUT on November 20th.

Be aware that the Leonid radiant (see the chart below for its location) doesn't rise until after 22:30 UT and so no Leonids will be seen during earlier meteor watches. Observed rates will usually increase as the night progresses and the radiant gets higher in the sky. On maximum night, the Moon lies in Sagittarius and sets before the radiant rises. Leonids are very swift meteors and are often trained.