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.
Click here for Non Flash version
Right now, the aurora is predicted to be: Kp 1.00
In 0 hour and 31 minutes, the aurora is predicted to be kp 1.00
In 0 hour and 43 minutes, the aurora is predicted to be kp 1.00
In 1 hour and 0 minutes, the aurora is predicted to be kp 1.00
System status: 
All Good
Daily Forecast
While all the other forecasts are using satellite and scientific data. The Daily aurora forecast is predicted at 5pm Finnish time (2pm Universal Time) by a person. (The computer models and predictions are great, but using real life experience and pattern recognition is something they can’t do).
- Summer Break
The daily (hand written forecast) is on summer break 1st May – 1st August. It’s not dark enough for auroras in most of Scandinavia and other parts of Northern Europe during summer. In the event of high activity where auroras could reach to lower latitudes of Europe (where it does still get dark), we we will resume the hand written forecasts temporarily then (for example if a huge CME is heading our way). All other data on this page will continue to be updated as usual. It is only the hand written aurora forecasts that is taking a break.
Have a nice summer folks, see you in the autumn. Tony.
3 Day Forecast
Courtesy of NOAA.
Predicted kp numbers for the next 3 days:
Time now in UTC (Universal Time) is: 08:39 29/07/14
Jul 29 Jul 30 Jul 31
00-03UT 3 2 2
03-06UT 3 1 1
06-09UT 2 1 1
09-12UT 2 1 1
12-15UT 2 1 1
15-18UT 2 1 1
18-21UT 1 2 2
21-00UT 2 2 2 ..
Rationale: No G1 (Minor) or greater geomagnetic storms are expected. No significant transient or recurrent solar wind features are forecast.
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
 SWPC Solar Wind Dials |  Real time solar wind tool (*NEW*) click to launch |
 (short term prediction) |  Auroral Map (last recorded aurora strength) |
 NOAA CME Prediction Forecast (*NEW*) click to launch |  NASA CME Prediction Forecast (*NEW*) click to launch |
ACE Real Time Solar Wind MAG & SWEPAM data
ACE Real Time Solar Wind EPAM (Low Energy Electrons & Protons) data
Magnetometer located in Dombås, Norway 62°N
Aurora Service HQ Magnetometer *Beta Testing* | How we built it
There is a lot of building work going on at Aurora Service HQ until around mid July (new roof!) and it is interfering with the magnetometer as they have tools and all sorts of ferrous objects near it, so we have temporary disabled it until the builders have gone (it was meant to be middle of June…).
How to read a magnetometer
It’s not exactly straight forward because magnetometers can be set up in 3 different ways so it’s important to know what system the magnetometer is using.
- Geographic coordinates – North (X), East (Y), Vertical down (Z)
- Geographic coordinates – Horizontal intensity (H), Declination (D), Vertical down (Z)
- Geomagnetic coordinates – Magnetic north (H), magnetic east (D), Vertical down (Z)
Our magnetometer is set up using the first system, with X, Y and Z co-ordinates. When it comes to northern lights, we are usually most interested in the Y(By) trace. But if it is a commercial magnetometer like Dombås (above) they will instead use H, D and Z co-ordinates. It is often difficult to determine which system (2nd or 3rd) is in use as they both use the same letters. In the Dombås magnetometer above, TGO are still using analog magnetometers and they are using declination as their D co-ordinates. Which means they are using the second system on the list. So in this instance, it is best to use the H trace (which is a vector of X and Y) for aurora watching. The Z-component (vertical) normally is influenced most by induced electric currents in the Earth’s crust and is essentially the same on all systems. Although H and Y are what we typically monitor, the other traces do have their uses and if they start moving significantly, it is usually a good sign of strong geomagnetic activity.
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.
Aurora Service was set up by me (Tony). I am a computer programmer and aurora watcher, so I combined both to create this site to help my Northern Lights forecasting and viewing. The site has kept growing and now it is a great resource for Aurora chasers all over the world. If you find the site useful please consider donating towards its running costs, thanks. Tony.
