Aurora Forecast

Hourly Forecast

Using real-time solar wind data from Nasa’s ACE spacecraft, matched with data obtained from a network of magnetometers located worldwide, we are able to forecast, with reasonable accuracy, how the Northern Lights will behave up to one hour in advance. The image shows estimated aurora activity now.

Image should be used as a guide only, it is based on predicted geomagnetic activity. Northern Lights may or may not be visible.

System status: All good.

3 Day Forecast
Courtesy of NOAA.

Predicted kp numbers for the next 3 days:
Time now in UTC (Universal Time) is: 19:12 16/10/18

            Oct 16     Oct 17     Oct 18
 
00-03UT        2          2          1     
 
03-06UT        1          1          2     
 
06-09UT        1          1          2     
 
09-12UT        1          2          1     
 
12-15UT        1          2          1     
 
15-18UT        1          1          3     
 
18-21UT        2          1          4     
 
21-00UT        2          1          4     
 

Why do we use UTC?
UTC (Universal Time) is used in science, weather, aviation, military and many other fields. It eliminates confusion with multiple time zones and daylight saving. For more information on UTC click here

Solar Wind Gauges

These gauges are our own system, they are updated every 60 seconds directly from Nasa’s ACE spacecraft data. The data you see here is what the ACE spacecraft monitored only moments ago. These 3 components are the most important components of the solar wind (when it comes to Aurora Borealis). Note the Bz gauge works backwards. You can view all the components of the solar wind on our other solar wind tool here.

Gauges are updated every minute live (without the need for page refresh).

How to interpret the gauge activity

Aurora Ovation Oval (short term prediction)	Real time solar wind tool click to launch

NOAA CME Prediction Forecast click to launch	NASA CME Prediction Forecast click to launch

The ACE spacecraft has been superseded by DSCOVR (data below).
ACE is still operational however, so now we have two sources of solar wind data.

What Kp strength do you need to view Northern Lights where you are?

The Northern Lights are most often seen in the Lapland regions of Finland, Sweden and Norway along with Iceland and Greenland. But during high activity, auroras are often visible from much lower latitudes, often including Scotland, Ireland, Denmark, Estonia and more. This table allows you to see what Kp level is typically required see aurora borealis where you are in the event of high geomagnetic activity.

If you are having difficulty seeing northern lights from your location, you are always welcome to visit us and come out aurora chasing personally with us, around the most northern towns in the EU! Visit tours.aurora-service.eu for more info.

Live stream from Aurora Service wilderness cabin in Muotkatunturi Wilderness Area, in Finnish Lapland.
View on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AuroraBorealisLIVE/live