November 9, 2026 northern lights forecast: Kp 4.7 (G1) expected — in range of Vancouver, Aberdeen. See the storm details

Northern Lights in Norway Tonight: Aurora Forecast & Viewing Guide

Norway is the classic aurora trip: from Tromsø northward the threshold falls as low as Kp 1.0, and even Oslo needs only Kp 4.0. The decision is where to base yourself and how much weather you can chase.

Places covered
6
Avg magnetic latitude
64.0°
Lowest Kp needed
1.0
Updated

Best chance in Norway tonight

Moderate

Tromsø: moderate, peak Kp 4.7, clouds 89%, best 12 AM – 2 AM CET.
3 of 6 locations have a chance tonight.

Tonight's aurora map of Norway

Live aurora map
Aurora map of Norway for November 9, 2026: the OVATION aurora oval, the line where tonight's Kp reaches the horizon, and 6 places colored by tonight's chance.
Green: OVATION aurora probability. Dashed line: where tonight's peak Kp (4.7) reaches the horizon. Dots: tonight's status. Updated 15:46 UTC.

Which city to fly to

Tromsø is the easy choice. It has an airport with domestic and international connections, the auroral oval lies overhead, and tours and short drives to darker valleys start from town. The season is long, and the typical darkness in winter runs for most of the day. See the Tromsø page for local viewing spots.

Alta, in Finnmark, is farther northeast and has its own airport. The interior is drier and colder, which tends to give clearer nights than the coast. The Lofoten islands are scenic and sit under the oval, with Svolvær and Bodø as access points; the trade-off is the sea weather. Trondheim and Oslo are not aurora bases, but both are big gateways for a combined trip, and a strong storm can show from the hills above them.

Coast or inland: planning around the weather

Coastal Norway is windy and cloudy in winter, and the forecast can change in hours. If your base is on the coast, plan one or two drives inland or to the next valley when the cloud map shows a gap. Inland Finnmark, around Alta and Karasjok, has colder and drier nights, with less cloud, though extreme cold needs the right clothing and a warm car.

Free app for iPhone and Android

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.

LIVE MAP

The oval and the clouds over your spot, refreshed through the night.

WAKE UP

A push alert before the aurora reaches your sky.

BEST HOUR

The one hour tonight worth setting an alarm for.

Aurora destinations in Norway

Tromsø aurora forecast

Norway
Moderate
Needs Kp 1.0 Peak Kp 4.7 Clouds 89% 12 AM – 2 AM CET

Oslo aurora forecast

Norway
Unlikely
Needs Kp 4.0 Peak Kp 4.7 Clouds 94%

Alta

Forecast point
Moderate
Needs Kp 1.0 Peak Kp 4.7 Clouds 77% 10 PM – 12 AM CET

Svolvær, Lofoten

Forecast point
Moderate
Needs Kp 1.3 Peak Kp 4.7 Clouds 78% 10 PM – 12 AM CET

Bodø

Forecast point
Unlikely
Needs Kp 1.7 Peak Kp 4.7 Clouds 96%

Trondheim

Forecast point
Unlikely
Needs Kp 3.0 Peak Kp 4.7 Clouds 99%

Live aurora status: Tromsø live forecast · Oslo live forecast

What time to look tonight in Norway

Norway

12 AM – 2 AM CET

Tromsø: moderate

Best window of the best-placed location in each zone. Look north; the darker your horizon, the earlier you see it.

Aurora viewing guide for Norway

The season runs from late August or September to early April, when nights are dark enough. Around midsummer the sun does not set in the north, and the sky never darkens enough for aurora. Winter brings the longest nights but also the worst weather, so many people choose September to October or February to March, when days are longer and the odds are good.

The further north you stay, the more often the aurora shows. Tromsø, Alta and the Lofoten islands sit under the auroral oval, so a moderate storm is more than enough. Bodø is within reach of a moderate one, Trondheim needs a stronger one, and Oslo needs a real storm.

The coast gets heavy cloud from the Norwegian Sea, and winter weather moves fast. Inland Finnmark is colder and often clearer, so people drive away from the coast when it clouds over. Whichever base you pick, give yourself several nights and check the cloud forecast each evening.

Aurora nights by month

Average dark nights per month when Kp reached the local threshold, across 6 places, since 2015.

Most active months: Jan, Mar, Sep, Oct.

Plan your Norway aurora trip

Guide: northern lights in Norway How to see the aurora Kp index today Live aurora map

Norway Aurora FAQ

When is the best time to see the northern lights in Norway?
From September to early April, with the best mix of darkness and weather often falling in September to October and February to March. Midwinter has the longest nights but the harshest weather. From late May to July the sun is up all night in the north, so there is no usable darkness.
Where in Norway can I see the northern lights?
Northern Norway: Tromsø, Alta, Finnmark and the Lofoten islands lie under the auroral oval and see activity on most clear, dark nights. Bodø works on moderate storms. Trondheim and southern Norway need stronger storms, and city lights reduce what you see, so head to a dark shore or hill.
How many nights should I plan for the northern lights in Norway?
Plan at least several nights, because cloud will cancel some even where the aurora is routine. A trip of a week gives a good chance of at least one clear, active night in northern Norway. In the south, treat the aurora as a bonus, since you need a strong storm and clear sky at the same time.
Can I see the northern lights from major cities in Norway?
Yes, in Tromsø and often in Alta. Tromsø sits under the auroral oval, so even the city sees activity on moderate storms. Oslo needs a stronger storm, and city lights wash out weaker displays. In every city, a walk or a short ride to a dark spot makes a big difference.
What Kp do I need to see the northern lights in Norway?
It depends on where you are: from Kp 1.0 at Tromsø to Kp 4.0 at Oslo. Each place shows its own threshold and tonight's Kp against it.
Can I see the northern lights in Norway tonight?
3 places of 6 have a chance tonight; the best is Tromsø (moderate). Tonight's peak Kp is 4.7 (minor storm), and the northern lights in Norway needs Kp 1.0 to 4.0 depending on where you are.

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.