How to interpret the Official Live Aurora Forecast
The Icelandic Met Office measures solar activity. Combined with the Cloud Forecast, it will give you clues on where the Northern Lights are likely to be seen.
Use the slider at the bottom of the graphic to adjust the date and time of the forecast.
Please note that the Official Live Aurora Forecast changes frequently and is most reliable at about 6 pm of the current day.
Cloud cover
A simple rule: No clear sky = No northern lights.
There are different cloud levels that have different impacts.
Change the display for cloud types using the tabs at the top of the graphic.
High clouds don’t really bother us in Iceland. Focus on the lower and middle clouds, and look for white spots or lighter shades on the map.
Solar activity
The 9-point scale on the right side of the page is a simple way to judge your chances of seeing something.
0-2: Low, almost no, activity. Anything you see may appear as pale as a cloud.
2-3: Moderate, but with good chances to catch the Northern Lights. This is the most usual forecast. Go out!
4-6: Húrra! A big solarstorm is coming, don’t miss your chance to catch some amazing Aurora displays!
7-9: Highly unusual, maybe your friends and relatives at home will see the Northern Lights, too!
Level of Darkness
To see the northern lights, darkness is essential. This is why autumn, winter, and spring are the best times for aurora viewing. During Iceland’s summer months, the sun is nearly up 24/7, creating a unique experience but not ideal for spotting the northern lights.
On the cloud map, you’ll find a box labeled ‘Sun,’ which shows sunset and sunrise times. If you’re unsure how those times affect brightness, the box will also indicate whether it’s dark enough to see the lights.
The Moon
Below that is the ‘Moon’ box, displaying the moonrise time and an image showing the current phase. A bright full moon can make it harder to see mild auroras, but during strong activity, it can enhance your photography opportunities. To plan ahead, we recommend this webside to check on the moon phases and hours of darkness.
Leirvogur – Magnetic Observatory
The magnetic observatory Leirvogur measures the magnetic disturbances above Iceland. When the graphs start moving, solar winds are rattling the magnetic field of the Earth which is usually followed by outbursts of auroral activity. Click on the picture to see the real-time-record of the Official Live Aurora Forecast.
Space Weather Prediction Center
Long term Kp forecast
By clicking on the graphic below, you find the daily maximum expected global geomagnetic conditions (Kp) for the coming 27 days. This is the fastest way to quickly find out what kind of geomagnetic conditions are to be expected over the next 27 days. While space weather is hard to forecast so far in advance, this list can be useful to spot when recurrent and reliable solar features like coronal hole solar wind streams become geoeffective again.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NORTHERN LIGHTS!
When is the best time to see the Northern Lights? Where are the best places to see them? How can I photograph them? Discover everything you need to know in our ultimate Northern Lights Guide!
JOIN A GUIDED NORTHERN LIGHTS TOUR!
To fully enjoy the Northern Lights experience we recommend a guided tour. You will save time and worries, the guides are aware of the conditions both in weather and solar activity and you’ll be in great company with like-minded people.
We fully recommend any of the companies below. We’ve carefully selected these collaborators since we’ve known them for years and know they are reliable and professional.
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Core Features: Live aurora maps, 27-day aurora activity forecast, customizable alerts, viewing probability by location
Sidelink: Ideal for both beginners and seasoned aurora chasers. -
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Core Features: Real-time alerts, cloud coverage maps, Kp index readings, prediction for aurora visibility
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Core Features: Community-shared Northern Lights sightings, aurora forecasts, aurora notifications, real-time weather and aurora conditions
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