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Northern Lights Tonight
Can you see the aurora tonight? Pick your city for a clear yes, maybe or no — worked out from the NOAA space-weather Kp forecast, how dark your sky gets, the moon and the cloud cover — plus the next two nights.
Tonight across the world
The forecast peaks at Kp 4.7 over the next 24 hours, so the aurora could reach down to about 57° geomagnetic latitude. Clear, dark skies away from city lights are still needed to see it.
Likely overhead tonight
Iqaluit Nuuk Utqiagvik Reykjavík Yellowknife Tromsø Churchill Alta Abisko Fairbanks Kiruna Murmansk Whitehorse Rovaniemi
Possible low on the horizon
Dublin Manchester Marquette Duluth Copenhagen Fargo Bismarck Ottawa Vancouver Spokane Minneapolis London Seattle Toronto
3-day Kp forecast
The planetary Kp index (0–9) in three-hour steps. A higher bar means the aurora reaches further from the poles. Kp 5+ is a geomagnetic storm.
Aurora forecast by city
United States
Canada
Iceland
Greenland
Russia
Estonia
Denmark
United Kingdom
Ireland
Australia
New Zealand
Argentina
Space-weather Kp index and forecast: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (public domain), refreshed about every 30 minutes. Cloud cover: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Darkness and moonlight are worked out locally. This is an estimate for planning, not a guarantee: the aurora is unpredictable, so check again after dark and get away from city lights with a clear view toward the pole.
About the Northern Lights Tonight
Northern Lights Tonight answers the one question an aurora forecast should: can I actually see it from where I am tonight? It reads the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center Kp forecast (how disturbed Earth’s magnetic field is, which sets how far from the poles the aurora reaches), compares it with your city’s geomagnetic latitude, then weighs in how dark your sky gets, how bright the moon is and the cloud cover from MET Norway. The result is a plain yes, maybe or no for tonight and the next two nights, not just a map of numbers. It works for the aurora borealis in the northern hemisphere and the aurora australis in the south.
How to use it
- 1 Pick your city, or tap “Use my location”.
- 2 Read tonight’s verdict — yes, maybe or no — and why.
- 3 Check the dark hours, peak Kp, cloud cover and moon for the night.
- 4 Look at the next two nights and the 3-day Kp forecast to plan ahead.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is the aurora forecast?
The Kp forecast is most reliable within a day or two; further out it is a rough outlook. Even with a strong Kp, local cloud, a bright moon or light pollution can hide the aurora, and brief bursts can appear with little warning. Treat the verdict as a good guide, not a guarantee, and check again after dark.
What is the Kp index?
Kp is a 0–9 scale of how disturbed Earth’s magnetic field is. The higher it is, the further from the poles the auroral oval stretches. Kp 5 or more is a geomagnetic storm (G1–G5). Your latitude decides what Kp you need: the far north sees aurora at Kp 2–3, while mid-latitudes need Kp 6–8.
Why can’t I see the aurora even when Kp is high?
The three usual culprits are cloud, moonlight and light pollution. You also need it to be properly dark, so a bright summer sky at high latitude can hide even a strong display. Get away from town, find a clear view toward the pole, and let your eyes adjust for 15–20 minutes.
Does this work for the southern lights?
Yes. For cities in the southern hemisphere it forecasts the aurora australis, using the same space-weather data and the southern auroral oval.
When is aurora season?
The aurora happens year-round, but you need dark skies to see it, so autumn through early spring (roughly September to March in the north) is best. Activity also tends to pick up around the equinoxes.
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