Tonight in Umeå: Aurora is unlikely in Umeå right now. The sky is not dark enough yet. AuroraMe watches Kp, clouds and darkness for this location and sends a free alert when a better viewing window opens.
Forecast
Scan the next hours here. The free app watches the longer window and sends alerts when conditions improve.
Know the Best Hour Before You Go
72-hour forecast for Umeå: Kp, clouds, moon and darkness by hour
Planning a trip? Find the best month and how many nights to stay
Why this forecast?
Aurora Zone
Higher Aurora Zone = better aurora visibility. Your location's Aurora Zone determines how often auroras appear overhead.
Status Levels:
Kp index
Kp measures global magnetic disturbance. Higher Kp = stronger auroras visible at lower latitudes.
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Cloud Cover Impact
Clear skies are essential for aurora viewing. Clouds block your view of the northern lights. The percentage shows cloud coverage (0-25% = clear, 85%+ = overcast).
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Moonlight
Bright moonlight can wash out faint auroras. New moon provides the darkest skies for optimal viewing.
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Darkness
Darker skies are essential for aurora viewing. The sun must be below the horizon for auroras to be visible.
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Get Alerted Before Aurora Appears
Push alerts 20–90 min before northern lights. 72h forecast, cloud cover, 11 years of historical data.
Aurora Borealis Viewing in Umeå
Northern Swedish university city with frequent aurora displays.
Umeå sits at 61.9° magnetic latitude, which means aurora typically becomes visible when the Kp index reaches 4+. Umeå sees aurora during moderate to strong geomagnetic activity. The best viewing season runs from late September through late March, when nights are long enough for dark skies.
Cloud cover is the most common reason people miss aurora even during strong storms. AuroraMe combines the Kp index with real-time cloud forecasts, moon phase, and darkness data to give you a single visibility status — so you know whether it's worth going outside tonight.
Other cities in Sweden
Abisko
World-renowned aurora viewing destination with unique microclimate
Kiruna
Sweden's northernmost city with world-famous Ice Hotel and aurora viewing
Gällivare
Mining town above Arctic Circle with iron ore heritage and aurora tours
Jokkmokk
Sami market town with winter solstice aurora celebrations and cultural experiences
Arvidsjaur
Winter testing capital with vehicle proving grounds under northern lights
Luleå
Coastal city with frozen archipelago providing unique aurora photography opportunities
Planning a trip? See the best months for Umeå → • Northern lights tonight — all cities →
Learn More About the Northern Lights
Northern Lights in Umeå: Quick Guide
How often can you see northern lights in Umeå?
Based on its magnetic latitude of <strong>61.9°</strong>, aurora viewing in Umeå is <strong>regular (30-80 nights per year)</strong>. We are currently near solar maximum (2024-2025), so expect higher-than-average activity.
Best viewing season: September to March, with peak activity during equinoxes (September and March).
What Kp index do I need to see aurora in Umeå?
For Umeå, you need a minimum Kp index of <strong>4.0</strong> for aurora to be visible. This threshold is calculated based on the city's magnetic latitude (61.9°).
Higher Kp values produce brighter, more active displays:
- Kp 4.0-5.0: Faint aurora visible in dark skies
- Kp 5.0-6.0: Moderate aurora with dancing patterns
- Kp 6.0+: Strong, colorful displays visible even with some light pollution
Current Kp index: 2.3
Where should I look for aurora in Umeå?
Focus on the northern sky, typically 30-60° above the horizon. During strong activity, aurora may spread across the sky.
For best results, seek locations with minimal light pollution and unobstructed views of the sky. At Umeå's high latitude, aurora can fill the entire sky during strong activity.
Can I see northern lights tonight in Umeå?
Unlikely: Aurora unlikely tonight with Kp 2.3 (below 4.0 threshold for Umeå). Enable alerts to catch future opportunities.
Real-time conditions: 21.8% cloud cover, aurora probability 0%. Check the live forecast above for the latest updates.
Traveling? Track multiple locations easily
Compare aurora chances across cities and get alerts for all your planned destinations.
For brighter shows consider Fairbanks , Yellowknife