Geomagnetic Storm Tracker

Live storm status from NOAA, updated every 5 minutes

Current Storm Status

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Fetching current geomagnetic conditions from NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center.

Get Storm Alerts Before They Hit

AuroraMe monitors 9 NOAA data feeds around the clock. Get storm watch alerts up to 72 hours before major events, and predictive aurora alerts 30-60 minutes before peak visibility at your location.

Active NOAA Space Weather Alerts

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Source: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center

G-Scale: What Each Storm Level Means for Aurora

NOAA rates geomagnetic storms G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). Higher levels push aurora further from the poles.

G1 Minor Kp 5

Aurora visible to ~55° magnetic latitude

G2 Moderate Kp 6

Aurora visible to ~50° magnetic latitude

G3 Strong Kp 7

Aurora visible to ~45° magnetic latitude

G4 Severe Kp 8

Aurora visible to ~40° magnetic latitude

G5 Extreme Kp 9

Aurora visible below 30° magnetic latitude

Full guide: Geomagnetic Storms Explained — G1 to G5 Scale, Duration & Aurora Impact →

Kp Index Forecast: Next 72 Hours

NOAA's predicted Kp values for the next 3 days. Kp 5+ means geomagnetic storm conditions.

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Kp Index: 27-Day Outlook

NOAA's predicted maximum Kp per day based on solar rotation recurrence. Kp 5+ = storm conditions.

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Kp 5+ Storm Kp 3-4 Active Kp 1-2 Quiet

Notable Geomagnetic Storms

G4

March 18-21, 2026: Severe Storm

Kp reached 6+ for multiple days. Aurora visible across Germany, Belgium, UK, and southern Scandinavia. Our busiest week ever, with over 13,000 daily visitors at the peak. Caused by a fast CME arrival.

G3

January 2026: Strong Storm

G3 conditions with Kp 7 sustained for 6+ hours. Aurora photographed from Edinburgh, Copenhagen, and Seattle. Part of the ongoing Solar Cycle 25 maximum activity.

G3

November 2025: Strong Storm Series

Multiple G3 events within a single week. Aurora visible at mid-latitudes across Europe and North America. Solar maximum delivered the most active November in over a decade.

G5

May 10-12, 2024: Extreme Storm

The strongest storm in 20 years. Kp reached 9 for sustained periods. Aurora photographed from Texas, Florida, Spain, and Japan. Caused by a series of X-class flares from sunspot AR 3664.

G4

October 2024: Severe Storm Series

Multiple G4 events as Solar Cycle 25 peaked. Aurora visible across the UK, central Europe, and the northern US.

What to Do When a Geomagnetic Storm Hits

1. Check Storm Level

Look at the current G-level above. G1-G2 means aurora at high latitudes. G3+ means mid-latitude aurora, so check whether your city is in the visibility zone.

2. Find Your City

Search your city on AuroraMe. Each city page shows your specific Kp threshold based on magnetic latitude. If current Kp exceeds your threshold, aurora is possible.

3. Check Cloud Cover

Clear skies are essential. Clouds block aurora completely. Check tonight's local forecast; any clear break is worth going outside for.

4. Get Away from Light

Even 15 minutes of driving reduces light pollution dramatically. Face north (south in Southern Hemisphere). Give your eyes 20 minutes to adapt to darkness.

5. Set Alerts

Don't sit refreshing this page. AuroraMe sends predictive alerts 30-60 minutes before peak aurora at your specific location. Set it and go about your evening.

6. Be Patient

Storms fluctuate. Activity can drop and surge multiple times over 24-72 hours. If the Kp forecast shows elevated activity, stay up: the best displays come in waves.

Aurora Destinations by Country

Show all 53 countries

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a geomagnetic storm right now?

Check the "Current Storm Status" panel at the top of this page. It shows the live G-scale level from NOAA, updated every 5 minutes. If the status shows G1 or higher, a storm is in progress. You can also check the Kp index, where 5 or above means storm conditions.

How do I know if aurora is visible during a storm?

Each storm level corresponds to a latitude range. Find your city's Kp threshold on its forecast page. If the current Kp meets or exceeds your threshold, and skies are clear and dark, aurora should be visible. AuroraMe combines all factors and sends alerts automatically.

How long does a geomagnetic storm last?

Most storms last 24-72 hours. The main phase (peak aurora activity) typically lasts 1-6 hours. CME-driven storms are intense but shorter; coronal hole streams are weaker but can persist for days. Activity comes in waves, so stay alert through the night.

Are geomagnetic storms dangerous?

No. People on Earth's surface are completely safe during all storm levels, including G5 extreme events. The aurora is safe to observe. Storms can affect power grids, satellites, GPS accuracy, and radio communications, but these effects are managed by specialized operators.

How far in advance can storms be predicted?

NOAA issues storm watches 1-3 days before expected arrival based on CME detections. The exact intensity is only confirmed when the solar wind reaches the L1 monitoring point, about 30-60 minutes before impact. AuroraMe sends storm watch alerts as soon as NOAA issues them.

What is the difference between G1 and G5?

G1 (Kp 5) is a minor storm, with aurora at high latitudes like Tromsø and Fairbanks. G5 (Kp 9) is extreme, with aurora from Spain, Texas, and Japan. G1 storms happen hundreds of times per solar cycle; G5 events are once-per-decade occurrences.

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