LIVE AURORA FORECAST
Checking tonight’s Northern Lights forecast for Iceland?
This page tracks live Kp index, cloud cover, solar activity, moon phase, and darkness hours for Reykjavík and the surrounding area — updated daily by our aurora guides, with two live cameras so you can watch the sky right now. Scroll down for tonight’s outlook, our step-by-step chase guide, and real-time data straight from NOAA.
Watch the sky over Iceland right now, streaming year-round from two locations — the only Iceland aurora forecast with a live camera built in.
See nothing but darkness? Come back once the sun has set.
FIND AURORA TOURS
CHASING THE NORTHERN LIGHTS - A STEP BY STEP GUIDE FOR YOUR AURORA HUNT
PLANE VORAUS
Maximise your chances of witnessing the Northern Lights by following our expert tips!
Two factors matter most when you plan your trip
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The 27-day KP forecast: The 27-day KP forecast is based on the Sun’s rotation. Since the Sun turns once every 27 days, active regions can reappear and give a rough idea of aurora chances weeks ahead.
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The moon phases: A bright full moon can wash out faint auroras, but it can also create magical photo opportunities by lighting up Iceland’s landscapes. Learn more about auroras and the moon phases here.
The Sun rotates roughly every 27 days, so active regions can reappear — giving a rough sense of aurora chances weeks ahead. Bars show forecast Kp; the line shows moon illumination, since a bright moon can wash out fainter displays.
Source: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, 27-day outlook. Moon phase calculated locally.
FIND DARK SKIES
FIND CLEAR SKIES
Aurora Hunting Tip: If you can see stars, you might see the Northern Lights!
Check cloud cover to find clear skies. Use the time slider to track changes, and look for white or light areas on the map for the best viewing spots.
Map colors explained:
🟢 Green – All clouds (composite)
🔵 Blue – Low clouds
🔴 Red – Middle clouds
🟠 Orange – High clouds (Northern Lights may still be visible through them)
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PICK A SAFE SPOT
MONITOR SOLAR ACTIVITY
Monitoring solar activity is essential for predicting the Northern Lights. The Kp Index, shown on the 9-point scale below, measures the planet’s geomagnetic activity and provides an average aurora strength over a 3-hour period. A Kp of 0–2 indicates low activity, 2–3 offers moderate chances, and 4–6 signals strong displays. Readings of 7–9 are rare and can produce spectacular shows. For the most accurate and up-to-date readings, check the real-time data provided below.
Image updated in real-time, courtesy of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center.
REAL-TIME AURORA FORECAST
CURRENT SOLAR ACTIVITY
Image updated in real-time, courtesy of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center.
CURRENT KP INDEX
3-DAY KP INDEX
CURRENT BZ VALUE
UNDERSTANDING THE AURORA FORECAST
Auroral Activity (Kp Index)
The Kp index measures global geomagnetic activity on a scale from 0 to 9. The higher the number, the stronger the potential aurora.
Good for aurora hunting: Kp2 or higher usually means visible lights in most of Iceland.
Bz (North–South Magnetic Field)
The Bz component tells us the direction of the interplanetary magnetic field. When Bz is negative (–2 nT or lower), it opens a “door” in Earth’s magnetic field, allowing solar particles to enter and create auroras.
Ideal: –3 nT or below.
Bt (Total Magnetic Field Strength)
Bt shows the strength of the magnetic field carried by the solar wind. Stronger Bt (above 6 nT) increases auroral intensity when Bz is southward.
Ideal: Bt ≥ 6 nT combined with Bz ≤ –2 nT.
Solar Wind Speed
The solar wind is a stream of charged particles flowing from the Sun. Faster winds deliver more energy into Earth’s atmosphere.
Good chances: speeds above 400 km/s often produce bright, fast-moving auroras.
Combine all these indicators with clear skies and darkness for the best viewing conditions.
Nordlicht-Tour mit einem Superjeep
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Chase the Northern Lights with the experts with our Superjeep tour. Small group experience, wilderness-ready vehicles, refreshments and free photos with the northern lights. Join the northern lights superjeep tour with the highest success rate in Iceland - including admission to Aurora Reykjavík.
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Erkunden Sie Islands berühmten Golden Circle, entspannen Sie in den wohltuenden milchig-blauen Gewässern der Blauen Lagune und gehen Sie auf die Jagd nach den Nordlichtern. Die perfekte Kombitour in kleiner Gruppe, um Islands beste Sehenswürdigkeiten zu entdecken – alles an einem erlebnisreichen Tag!
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Join the highest rated northern lights minibus tour in Iceland and maximise your chances of success. Expert Aurora guide, free retry and complimentary photos with the northern lights - all included!
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NORTHERN LIGHTS PRIVATE TOUR FOR SMALL GROUPS
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Chase the Northern Lights with a private guide! This private minibus adventure for up to 18 people is ideal for small groups. A less crowded, more personal northern lights experience, including northern lights photos and refreshments.
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Live your unique Aurora adventure with your group, with a private northern lights tour! This exclusive experience is designed for large groups, up to 52 passengers. Professional guidance, free photos and refreshments are included in this northern lights hunt away from the crowds.
Why do Aurora forecasts change?
Are there any other Aurora data sources I should keep track of?
How accurate is the Kp index for seeing the Northern Lights?
What are the best months to see the Northern Lights in Iceland?
What is the difference between a low Kp number and a high Kp number for Northern Lights viewing?
Can I see the Northern Lights in summer?
What are the best Northern Lights forecast Apps to enhance my experience?
- My Aurora Forecast – Live aurora maps, 27-day forecasts, and customizable alerts. Great for both beginners and seasoned chasers.
- Aurora Alerts – Northern Lights – Real-time alerts, cloud coverage maps, and Kp index readings. Perfect for instant notifications.
- Hello Aurora – Community-shared sightings, forecasts, and real-time conditions. Ideal for a social and interactive experience.
- Northern Eye Aurora Forecast – Detailed solar wind data, Kp index, and real-time solar activity updates. Best for science enthusiasts.
- Aurora Forecast & Alerts – Hourly forecasts, cloud maps, and customizable notifications. Simple and user-friendly for quick updates.