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How to read the northern lights forecast
Bring activity, cloud cover and darkness together before heading outside.
Start with your location
Select the place where you will be watching. Weather and dark hours are calculated for that location, while Kp and solar-wind measurements describe the wider space environment. A promising global reading can coincide with poor local viewing conditions.
Check three things together
Activity tells you whether the northern lights may be present. Cloud cover tells you how much of the sky may be hidden. Darkness makes faint light easier to see. Look for a period when these conditions overlap, rather than choosing a night from its Kp value alone.
Read the map alongside the clock
The map shows a short-term model of northern lights activity. Its colours do not include your local clouds or nearby lights, and are not your personal chance of a sighting. Check the forecast time before using it; an older frame is a picture of earlier modelled conditions.
Use the calendar to plan, then recheck
The seven-night calendar helps compare weather and dark hours. Activity is shown only within the available forecast period. Recheck before leaving, and use the real sky as your final guide. A forecast can identify an opportunity; it cannot promise a display.
What to look for
Choose your location, find a dark hour with less cloud, then check the latest activity and its forecast time.
See the current forecast