The aurora starts 150 million km away. These readings come from satellites a million km towards the sun — about an hour's warning of what reaches Iceland.
Aurora activity–
–Kp index · 0–9
Solar wind speed–
–km/s
Magnetic field Bz–
NorthSouth
–nT
Particle density–
–protons / cm³
Fast solar wind and a southward (negative) Bz open the door — that's when the aurora really dances. Last 6 hours shown under each reading.
Where to look
The best places to see it
Aurora activity, cloud cover, darkness, moonlight and light pollution combined, hour by hour. Press play to watch the night unfold.
Aurora alerts
Get an email when the aurora is coming
We check the forecast every 10 minutes. When there's a good chance of seeing it near Reykjavík tonight, you get one short email with the best time and place.
Free — no account, no newsletter
At most one email per night
Stops by itself after your trip
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Hour by hour
Tonight at Þingvellir
Tap a place on the map to change it. Green is your chance of seeing the aurora, grey is cloud, and the dark band is when it's dark enough.
The next three days
Aurora activity forecast
NOAA's planetary Kp forecast in 3-hour steps. In Iceland, even Kp 2–3 can give a beautiful show when the sky is clear and dark.
Quiet 0–2Active 3–4Storm 5+Dark hours in Reykjavík
Seen on our hunts
The northern lights, from our own trips
Admiring the northern LightsWe are the best at northern lightsMid Hunt!
From late August to mid-April, whenever the nights are dark enough. September to March is the best time. In summer the sky never gets dark, so the aurora can't be seen.
What Kp do I need to see the aurora in Iceland?
Less than you might think. Iceland lies under the auroral oval, so even Kp 1–3 can give a visible aurora when the sky is clear and dark. Kp 4 and higher often brings bright, fast-moving displays.
What time of night is best?
Usually between 21:00 and 02:00, often around midnight, but the aurora can appear any time it's dark. It tends to come in waves, so give it time.
Can I see the northern lights from Reykjavík?
Yes, on strong nights — but street lights hide fainter displays. Grótta lighthouse at the edge of the city is darker, and a 30–45 minute drive to places like Þingvellir or Kleifarvatn makes a big difference.
How accurate is this forecast?
The live readings and NOAA's OVATION model are reliable for the next hour or so. The 3-day Kp forecast is a rough guide, and cloud forecasts can change during the day. Check again before you head out.
Is the aurora really that green?
To the eye, a faint aurora often looks pale grey-green or whitish, a bit like a thin cloud. Cameras see much stronger colours. On strong nights you'll see bright green, and sometimes pink and purple, with your own eyes.
How do I photograph the northern lights?
Use a tripod, a wide lens, ISO 1600–3200, a 5–10 second exposure and manual focus on infinity. With a phone, use night mode and keep the phone completely still.
Do I need a tour to see the aurora?
No — with a car, a good forecast and patience you can find it yourself. On a private hunt a local driver follows the clouds and the solar wind for you, and you don't have to drive icy roads in the dark.
How this forecast works
Viewing chance
For every place and hour we combine five things: aurora activity (NOAA's OVATION model for the next hour, then the Kp forecast with Iceland's position under the auroral oval), cloud cover (low cloud counts most), darkness (the sun at least 6–12° below the horizon), moonlight and light pollution.
It's an estimate, not a promise — the aurora can appear or fade within minutes.
