Northern Lights Tonight in Fairbanks, Alaska
Tonight in Fairbanks: aurora is unlikely. Kp reaches 3.7, at or above the local Kp 1.6 threshold, but clouds cover about 91% of the sky. Next possible window: Nov 10.
Visibility now
UnlikelyKp 2.0 now (quiet); this spot needs Kp 1.6+.
Kp: NOAA SWPC · Oval: NOAA OVATION · Clouds: Open-Meteo · Updated every 15 minutes.
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Fairbanks aurora forecast
| AKST | Kp | Chance | Status | Clouds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 PM | 3.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 91% |
| 7 PM | 3.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 99% |
| 8 PM | 2.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 100% |
| 9 PM | 2.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 99% |
| 10 PM | 2.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 100% |
| 11 PM | 2.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 99% |
Chance combines Kp against the local threshold, clouds, darkness and the moon. Hours before dark read “Too light”.
Kp is just one factor. The app adds clouds, moon, darkness, latitude and solar wind for each night.
Which nights are best?
The first night in the NOAA outlook that reaches Fairbanks's Kp 1.6 is Nov 10.
~218 aurora nights per year
Dark nights when Kp reached 1.6, average of the last three years (GFZ Potsdam). Clouds not counted.
Average nights per month since 2015. Best months to visit: Jan, Mar, Sep, Oct.
Tonight's best window
If activity picks up, watch12 AM – 2 AM AKST, look north-northeast and overhead.
Fully dark from 6:58 PM to 6:11 AM AKST.
Why this forecast?
Aurora Borealis Viewing in Fairbanks
Fairbanks is one of the most reliable aurora cities on earth, and a Kp of 1.6 is all it takes. Under a clear, dark sky the lights are overhead as often as on the horizon, so you do not need a storm and you do not need to look only north. What you need is darkness and clear weather.
The season runs from late summer into spring, when the sky is dark enough to see them. In the bright months of June and July it never gets dark enough, so plan for the cold half of the year. The interior is dry and often clear, but the temperature can drop far below zero, and ice fog collects in the Tanana Valley under inversions, so a clear night on a hill can be better than one in town.
In town, the light is from the road system and the university, and the glow is mild compared to a Lower 48 city. Go higher for the best view. Murphy Dome and Cleary Summit are the usual hill spots, and Chena Hot Springs Road leads to the Chena River State Recreation Area and the hot springs resort, which markets aurora viewing. Whichever you choose, check cloud cover first.
For the whole picture, check the northern lights tonight overview or the live aurora map.
Dark-sky spots near Fairbanks
Murphy Dome
A ridge northwest of Fairbanks above the Tanana Valley, with open sky and little light to the north. Often above inversion fog.
Cleary Summit
A pass on the Steese Highway north of Fairbanks, higher than the valley, with a broad view of the northern horizon.
Chena Hot Springs
A resort at the end of Chena Hot Springs Road, far from the city, with dark sky and a clear view of the north.
Other cities in the US
Anchorage
Juneau
Seattle
Spokane
Portland
Boise
Plan your trip
Northern Lights in Fairbanks: Quick Guide
How often can you see the northern lights in Fairbanks?
What Kp do I need to see the northern lights in Fairbanks?
Can I see the northern lights tonight in Fairbanks?
Where should I look for the northern lights in Fairbanks?
What time is best tonight in Fairbanks?
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Know when the sky is worth your time
The forecast on this page, watching your location all night and telling you when to step outside.
The hour tonight when Kp, clouds and darkness line up for your spot.
A push alert 30–90 minutes before the aurora reaches your sky, even at 2 AM.
Where the clouds open nearby, so you know which way to drive.
Learn more about the northern lights
How to See the Northern Lights: A Beginner's Guide
Three conditions decide whether you see the northern lights: activity at your latitude, a clear sky and darkness. Here is how to check each one.
Aurora Colors and What They Mean
Green, red, blue, purple and pink aurora explained: which gas makes each color, how high it glows, and why your camera shows more than your eyes.
Northern Lights in Canada: Best Places
The best places to see the northern lights in Canada: Yellowknife, Whitehorse, Churchill, Jasper and the prairies, plus what Ontario and Quebec get.
Northern Lights in Scotland
Where to see the northern lights in Scotland: north coast, islands, Cairngorms and dark sky parks, when the sky is dark enough, and how to beat cloud.
Northern Lights in Norway
Where to see the northern lights in Norway, which months work, why the coast and inland need different plans, and what Oslo gets in a storm.
Aurora Australis Forecast Guide
How to read a forecast for the southern lights: Kp, Bz, the southern oval, darkness, moon and cloud, plus where to look in Tasmania and southern Australia.
Kp index today
Live Kp, the 3-day and 27-day forecast, and what Kp each city needs.
Geomagnetic storm today
G-scale now, the storm outlook and how far south the aurora reaches.