LOCAL VIEWING CONDITIONS · 2 min read
Clouds, darkness and your view of the sky
Know what cloud percentages mean and find useful dark hours wherever you are.
Cloud cover is sky coverage
Our cloud percentage comes from MET Norway’s total cloud-cover forecast for your selected coordinates. A value of 50% means roughly half the sky is forecast to be covered; it is not a 50% chance of seeing the northern lights. Cloud position, thickness and movement also affect the view.
What we mean by dark
Northern Forecast marks a practical dark window when the Sun is at least 12° below the horizon, the end of evening nautical twilight. Full astronomical darkness starts at 18° below the horizon. Our threshold is a planning aid: a strong display may still be visible in twilight.
Your latitude and season change the window
Northern lights activity can occur while the sky is too bright to see it. At high latitudes, summer nights may never become dark enough. Check the calculated dark hours for your location and date instead of assuming that evening means darkness.
Moonlight and nearby lights
Moonlight can reduce the contrast of a faint display, but it does not rule out a sighting. Direct streetlights, bright screens and obstructed horizons also affect what you see. Give your eyes time to adjust and look for clear gaps across the sky.
What to look for
Look for lower cloud cover during the dark window. Choose an open view away from direct lights, and check the actual sky when you arrive.
See the current forecast