Northern Lights Forecast Tonight

See if the aurora borealis may be visible tonight in your location.

Global Aurora Activity

Active

Global Aurora Activity

Active

Geomagnetic activity is active. Aurora may be visible in northern locations when local skies are dark and clear.

Max Kp 24h 3.0 / 9

Global geomagnetic activity is active. Northern Lights may be visible in high-latitude locations if skies are dark and clear.

Current Kp

Low activity

Kp is between 2 and 3, which means geomagnetic activity is low. Aurora may be possible in northern viewing areas, but visibility is unlikely farther south unless local conditions are excellent.

2.0

Low activity

Max Kp next 24h

Active conditions

Kp is between 3 and 5, which means geomagnetic conditions are active but below storm level. Aurora chances improve in northern regions, especially when skies are dark, clear and away from light pollution.

3.0

Active conditions

Storm level

No storm

No geomagnetic storm is expected based on the current Kp forecast.

None

No storm

Updated

Fresh

The latest forecast data was updated recently.

3m ago

Fresh

Source

NOAA SWPC

Global Kp Forecast

Estimated global Kp index for the next 72 hours. Taller bars mean stronger geomagnetic activity.

2.7

+3h

Low activity

+3h: Kp 2.7 — low geomagnetic activity.

Kp index

2.7

+6h

Low activity

+6h: Kp 2.7 — low geomagnetic activity.

Kp index

2.7

+9h

Low activity

+9h: Kp 2.7 — low geomagnetic activity.

Kp index

2.7

+12h

Low activity

+12h: Kp 2.7 — low geomagnetic activity.

Kp index

2.7

3.0

+15h

Active conditions

+15h: Kp 3.0 — active geomagnetic conditions.

Kp index

3.0

2.7

+18h

Low activity

+18h: Kp 2.7 — low geomagnetic activity.

Kp index

2.7

2.0

+21h

Low activity

+21h: Kp 2.0 — low geomagnetic activity.

Kp index

2.0

2.3

+24h

Low activity

+24h: Kp 2.3 — low geomagnetic activity.

Kp index

2.3

+27h

Low activity

+27h: Kp 2.3 — low geomagnetic activity.

Kp index

2.3

+30h

Low activity

+30h: Kp 2.3 — low geomagnetic activity.

Kp index

2.3

+33h

Low activity

+33h: Kp 2.3 — low geomagnetic activity.

Kp index

2.3

+36h

Low activity

+36h: Kp 2.3 — low geomagnetic activity.

Kp index

2.3

2.7

+39h

Low activity

+39h: Kp 2.7 — low geomagnetic activity.

Kp index

2.7

2.3

+42h

Low activity

+42h: Kp 2.3 — low geomagnetic activity.

Kp index

2.3

2.0

+45h

Low activity

+45h: Kp 2.0 — low geomagnetic activity.

Kp index

2.0

+48h

Low activity

+48h: Kp 2.0 — low geomagnetic activity.

Kp index

2.0

+51h

Low activity

+51h: Kp 2.0 — low geomagnetic activity.

Kp index

2.0

+54h

Low activity

+54h: Kp 2.0 — low geomagnetic activity.

Kp index

2.0

+57h

Low activity

+57h: Kp 2.0 — low geomagnetic activity.

Kp index

2.0

+60h

Low activity

+60h: Kp 2.0 — low geomagnetic activity.

Kp index

2.0

2.3

+63h

Low activity

+63h: Kp 2.3 — low geomagnetic activity.

Kp index

2.3

1.7

+66h

Quiet activity

+66h: Kp 1.7 — quiet geomagnetic conditions.

Kp index

1.7

+3h

+6h

+9h

+12h

+15h

+18h

+21h

+24h

+27h

+30h

+33h

+36h

+39h

+42h

+45h

+48h

+51h

+54h

+57h

+60h

+63h

+66h

The highest expected Kp in the next 72 hours is 3.0.

Why this forecast?

Global aurora activity is active because the current Kp is 2.0 and the next 24h forecast reaches Kp 3.0.

•

Current Kp 2.0

Current Kp

Low activity

Kp is between 2 and 3, which means geomagnetic activity is low. Aurora may be possible in northern viewing areas, but visibility is unlikely farther south unless local conditions are excellent.

Low activity

Current Kp shows the latest estimated global geomagnetic activity.

•

Max Kp next 24h 3.0

Max Kp next 24h

Active conditions

The highest expected Kp in the next 24 hours indicates whether aurora may expand beyond the polar regions.

✓

Data freshness Fresh

Fresh

The forecast is based on recently updated NOAA data.

Data sources

· NOAA SWPC Kp forecast
· NOAA SWPC observed Kp

Best Chances Tonight

Locations with the highest estimated aurora visibility tonight.

Alta

🇳🇴 Finnmark · Norway

Moderate

53 / 100

Cloud cover: Cloudy

Max Kp tonight 3.0 Kp needed 1.5 Cloud Cover 60%

🕐 12:00 AM – 2:00 AM

Sisimiut

🇬🇱 Qeqqata · Greenland

Moderate

50 / 100

Cloud cover: Cloudy

Max Kp tonight 3.0 Kp needed 1.0 Cloud Cover 74%

🕐 3:00 AM – 5:00 AM

Tromsø

🇳🇴 Troms · Norway

Moderate

58 / 100

Max Kp tonight 3.0 Kp needed 2.0 Cloud Cover 2%

🕐 12:00 AM – 2:00 AM

Inari

🇫🇮 Lapland · Finland

Moderate

47 / 100

Cloud cover: Cloudy

Max Kp tonight 3.0 Kp needed 1.5 Cloud Cover 65%

🕐 1:00 AM – 3:00 AM

Yellowknife

🇨🇦 Northwest Territories · Canada

Moderate

54 / 100

Geomagnetic activity: Below threshold

Max Kp tonight 2.3 Kp needed 2.5 Cloud Cover 11%

🕐 11:00 PM – 3:00 AM

Fort McMurray

🇨🇦 Alberta · Canada

Moderate

54 / 100

Geomagnetic activity: Below threshold

Max Kp tonight 2.3 Kp needed 2.5 Cloud Cover 4%

🕐 11:00 PM – 1:00 AM

Popular Aurora Forecasts

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see the Northern Lights tonight?

It depends on your location, geomagnetic activity, cloud cover, darkness, and light pollution. Check your local aurora forecast to see if the Northern Lights may be visible tonight.

What time will the Northern Lights be visible tonight?

The best time is usually during dark night hours, often from late evening to early morning. Visibility is better when the sky is clear and you are away from city lights.

Where can you see the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights are most often visible in high-latitude regions such as Alaska, Canada, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and northern Russia. During strong geomagnetic storms, they can sometimes be seen farther south.

Where is the best place to see the Northern Lights tonight?

The best place is usually a dark location under clear skies, away from city lights, with a good view of the northern horizon. Locations closer to the auroral oval usually have a better chance.

What are the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights, also called the aurora borealis, are natural lights in the sky caused by charged particles from the Sun interacting with Earth's magnetic field and upper atmosphere.

What causes the Northern Lights?

Northern Lights happen when solar particles reach Earth and are guided by the magnetic field toward the polar regions. When these particles collide with gases in the atmosphere, they create glowing colors in the sky.

How can I watch or photograph the Northern Lights?

Go to a dark place with a clear northern view, let your eyes adjust, and check the forecast before you go. For photos, use night mode on a phone or a camera with a tripod and a long exposure.