Northern lights forecast · tonight
Northern Lights Forecast for Tonight:
Aurora Tracker
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Global Kp Index
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Kp Index: 27-Day Forecast
Popular forecast hubs right now: aurora forecast Rovaniemi, aurora forecast Tromso, aurora forecast Stockholm, aurora forecast Helsinki, northern lights forecast New York, aurora forecast Ontario, and aurora forecast Sweden.
Need the broad view first? Aurora borealis forecast, northern lights tonight, live aurora tracker, and aurora app comparisons.
Want a head-to-head breakdown? Browse every AuroraMe vs competitor comparison or start with AuroraMe vs My Aurora Forecast.
Aurora Destinations by Country
United States
304 locationsCanada
73 locationsRussia
35 locationsNorway
29 locationsFinland
29 locationsSweden
24 locationsUnited Kingdom
23 locationsGreenland
20 locationsDenmark
16 locationsJapan
14 locationsIceland
12 locationsLithuania
12 locationsNetherlands
12 locationsGermany
12 locationsPoland
12 locationsBelarus
12 locationsShow all 53 countries
France
12 locationsUkraine
12 locationsItaly
12 locationsSpain
12 locationsChile
12 locationsSouth Africa
12 locationsNew Zealand
11 locationsAustralia
11 locationsArgentina
11 locationsIreland
10 locationsEstonia
10 locationsLatvia
10 locationsBelgium
10 locationsLuxembourg
10 locationsCzech Republic
10 locationsSwitzerland
10 locationsSlovakia
10 locationsAustria
10 locationsHungary
10 locationsSlovenia
10 locationsCroatia
10 locationsRomania
10 locationsPortugal
10 locationsSerbia
10 locationsBosnia and Herzegovina
10 locationsFalkland Islands
10 locationsMontenegro
10 locationsBulgaria
10 locationsAlbania
10 locationsNorth Macedonia
10 locationsMongolia
10 locationsGreece
10 locationsMalta
10 locationsCyprus
10 locationsUruguay
10 locationsBrazil
10 locationsSouth Georgia
9 locationsFrequently Asked Questions
What is the Kp index?
The Kp index measures geomagnetic activity on a scale from 0 to 9, published by NOAA SWPC every 3 hours. Higher Kp means a larger auroral oval and aurora visible at lower latitudes. Kp 3+ is visible in northern Scandinavia, Kp 5+ reaches Scotland and northern US states, Kp 7+ can reach central Europe.
Can I see aurora tonight?
Aurora visibility depends on 5 factors: Kp index (geomagnetic activity), cloud cover, moon phase, hours of darkness, and your magnetic latitude. All five must align — even strong Kp activity is invisible behind clouds or during twilight. Check the forecast for your city to see if conditions align tonight.
What causes the northern lights?
Aurora borealis occurs when charged particles from the solar wind enter Earth's magnetosphere and collide with atmospheric gases. Oxygen produces green light (90–150 km altitude) and red light (above 200 km), while nitrogen creates purple and blue hues. Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the Sun trigger the strongest displays.
How does aurora forecasting work?
AuroraMe uses a 5-factor prediction model: real-time Kp index from NOAA SWPC, local cloud cover forecasts, moon phase and illumination, hours of darkness at your location, and magnetic latitude (which determines your minimum Kp threshold). These factors are combined into a single visibility status updated every 15 minutes.
When is the best time to see the northern lights?
The best season is September through March in the northern hemisphere, with peak activity around the equinoxes (September-October, February-March) due to the Russell-McPherron effect. The best hours are 10 PM to 2 AM local time, when geomagnetic substorms peak. Solar Cycle 25 is near its maximum in 2025-2026, making this period exceptionally active.
What Kp level do I need for my location?
Your required Kp depends on magnetic latitude. The formula is roughly: Required Kp = (66 - Magnetic Latitude) / 2. For example, Tromsø (67.4° MLAT) needs just Kp 1, Edinburgh (58.2° MLAT) needs Kp 4, and London (53.4° MLAT) needs Kp 6. Check any city page for the exact Kp threshold calculated from its magnetic latitude.