Northern Lights Forecast Tonight
You can see northern lights tonight if the Kp index reaches your local threshold, the sky is clear, and it is fully dark. Use the live Kp outlook, visibility map, and city forecasts below to check your exact location before going outside.
Real-time aurora visibility, updated every 5 minutes from NOAA
Kp Index: Next 27 Days
Plan ahead: see when the next aurora-active nights are expected.
18 AUG
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1 SEP
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Kp 5+ Kp 3-4 Kp 1-2
Can I See Aurora Tonight?
Whether you can see northern lights tonight depends on three conditions at your location: the Kp index must reach your city's threshold, skies must be clear, and it must be fully dark. Peak viewing is between 10 PM and 2 AM local time. Check the live Kp index above and find your city below.
The 3 factors in detail:
- Kp index meets your threshold — High-latitude cities (Tromsø, Fairbanks) need only Kp 2. Mid-latitude cities (Edinburgh, Seattle) need Kp 5-6. Southern locations need Kp 7+.
- Clear skies — Clouds block aurora completely. Check your local cloud forecast.
- Dark enough — No twilight, no bright moonlight. Best viewing: 10 PM to 2 AM local time.
Fastest way to check: Find your city below and see all 3 factors combined into one forecast.
Get a push alert 30-90 min before aurora appears at your location
High-interest forecast pages tonight: aurora forecast Rovaniemi, aurora forecast Tromso, aurora forecast Stockholm, aurora forecast Helsinki, northern lights forecast New York, aurora forecast Ontario, and aurora forecast Sweden.
Where Are Northern Lights Visible Tonight?
Current aurora visibility depends on the Kp index. Here's what each level means:
Kp 3-4: Extended Visibility
Also visible in: Anchorage, Yellowknife, Aberdeen, aurora forecast Helsinki, aurora forecast Stockholm
~100 nights/yearKp 5-6: Storm: Mid-Latitudes
Also visible in: Edinburgh, Seattle, Minneapolis, Calgary, aurora forecast Ontario
~30 nights/yearKp 7-9: Severe Storm: Rare
Also visible in: London, northern lights forecast New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Copenhagen
~5-10 nights/yearAurora Destinations by Country
🇺🇸
United States
304 locations 🇨🇦
Canada
73 locations 🇷🇺
Russia
35 locations 🇳🇴
Norway
29 locations 🇫🇮
Finland
25 locations 🇬🇧
United Kingdom
23 locations 🇬🇱
Greenland
20 locations 🇸🇪
Sweden
18 locations 🇩🇰
Denmark
16 locations 🇯🇵
Japan
14 locations 🇮🇸
Iceland
12 locations 🇱🇹
Lithuania
12 locations 🇳🇱
Netherlands
12 locations 🇩🇪
Germany
12 locations 🇵🇱
Poland
12 locations 🇧🇾
Belarus
12 locationsShow all 53 countries
🇫🇷
France
12 locations 🇺🇦
Ukraine
12 locations 🇮🇹
Italy
12 locations 🇪🇸
Spain
12 locations 🇨🇱
Chile
12 locations 🇿🇦
South Africa
12 locations 🇳🇿
New Zealand
11 locations 🇦🇺
Australia
11 locations 🇦🇷
Argentina
11 locations 🇮🇪
Ireland
10 locations 🇪🇪
Estonia
10 locations 🇱🇻
Latvia
10 locations 🇧🇪
Belgium
10 locations 🇱🇺
Luxembourg
10 locations 🇨🇿
Czech Republic
10 locations 🇨🇭
Switzerland
10 locations 🇸🇰
Slovakia
10 locations 🇦🇹
Austria
10 locations 🇭🇺
Hungary
10 locations 🇸🇮
Slovenia
10 locations 🇭🇷
Croatia
10 locations 🇷🇴
Romania
10 locations 🇵🇹
Portugal
10 locations 🇷🇸
Serbia
10 locations 🇧🇦
Bosnia and Herzegovina
10 locations 🇫🇰
Falkland Islands
10 locations 🇲🇪
Montenegro
10 locations 🇧🇬
Bulgaria
10 locations 🇦🇱
Albania
10 locations 🇲🇰
North Macedonia
10 locations 🇲🇳
Mongolia
10 locations 🇬🇷
Greece
10 locations 🇲🇹
Malta
10 locations 🇨🇾
Cyprus
10 locations 🇺🇾
Uruguay
10 locations 🇧🇷
Brazil
10 locations 🇬🇸
South Georgia
9 locationsWhat Time Will the Northern Lights Be Visible Tonight?
Aurora is typically visible between 10 PM and 2 AM local time, when geomagnetic substorms peak and the sky is darkest. In Arctic regions during winter, the viewing window extends from around 6 PM. The exact time depends on your latitude, cloud clearance, and when the Kp index spikes. Check your city's forecast above for tonight's specific visibility window.
Tonight's Aurora Viewing Tips
Best Viewing Time
Peak aurora activity: 10 PM to 2 AM local time. Give your eyes 20 minutes to adjust to darkness. Avoid looking at your phone screen.
Where to Look
Face north (or south in the Southern Hemisphere). Get away from city lights; even 15 minutes of driving helps.
Get Alerts
Don't keep checking manually. Set up free alerts and get notified when aurora is visible at your location. AuroraMe sends predictive alerts 30-90 minutes ahead.
Get Aurora Alerts for Tonight
Free alerts when northern lights become visible at your location. Works for 1,000+ cities worldwide.
Want to Learn More?
Need the broader outlook? Start with the main forecast hub for longer-range context, live tools, and top city pages.
Storm active? Check the Geomagnetic Storm Tracker for live G-scale status, NOAA alerts, and 72-hour Kp forecast.
Read our complete guide: How to Check If Aurora Is Visible Tonight — covers Kp index thresholds, weather factors, common mistakes, and step-by-step forecast reading.
Understanding the science: Kp Index Explained — Scale 0-9 & Your City's Threshold
Frequently Asked Questions
What time will the northern lights be visible tonight?
Aurora is best seen between 10 PM and 2 AM local time, when the sky is darkest and the auroral oval is most active. In the Arctic during winter, you may see aurora as early as 6 PM. Check your city's specific darkness window on its forecast page.
Can I see northern lights tonight near me?
It depends on your magnetic latitude and the current Kp index. Enter your city in the search above to see tonight's probability. Cities above 55° magnetic latitude see aurora most nights; below 50° requires a Kp 5+ geomagnetic storm.
Are the northern lights visible tonight?
Check the live Kp index at the top of this page. If Kp matches or exceeds your city's threshold, and skies are clear and dark, aurora should be visible. AuroraMe combines all the factors for you, so just check your city page.
How accurate is the aurora forecast for tonight?
Short-term aurora forecasts (tonight) are 70-80% accurate when based on real-time solar wind data. AuroraMe uses NOAA's OVATION model (updated every 5 minutes) combined with local cloud cover and darkness conditions for higher practical accuracy.
What Kp do I need to see aurora?
Depends on location. Tromsø/Fairbanks: Kp 2. Edinburgh/Seattle: Kp 5-6. London/New York: Kp 7+. Each city page shows your specific Kp threshold based on magnetic latitude.