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Live aurora forecast

Northern lights Czech Republic tonight

The Czech Republic at 50–51°N magnetic latitude requires strong geomagnetic storms — Kp 6–7 for dark countryside positions, Kp 7–8 for Prague. The May 2024 G5 storm produced aurora across the country. The Šumava plateau at 1,000–1,300 m elevation is the Czech Republic's best aurora destination, with some of the darkest skies in central Europe.

Aurora forecast - Czech Republic

Unlikely tonight

Kp 1 is well below the Kp 6–7 from Šumava threshold. No significant aurora activity is expected at this time.

Current Kp

of 9

Best threshold in Czech Republic: Kp 6–7 from Šumava Ref. latitude: ~50°N mag.

↓ Bz — nT Solar wind — km/s Density — p/cm³ ☁ —% at ref. site

Conditions right now: — Kp + Bz + solar wind + cloud + moon

7-day outlook for Czech Republic

Today

21 May

Quiet

Tomorrow

22 May

Quiet

Sat

23 May

Quiet

Sun

24 May

Quiet

Mon

25 May

Quiet

Tue

26 May

Quiet

Wed

27 May

Quiet

Based on CME arrival predictions from NASA DONKI. Arrival times ±6 hours. Badges show the best-case location in Czech Republic.

Aurora visibility in the Czech Republic

Šumava National Park

Unlikely

Bohemian Forest plateau — darkest sky in the Czech Republic

~50°N mag. lat. Needs Kp 6+

Best time to see the northern lights in Czech Republic

Aurora in Czech Republic requires significant geomagnetic storms. Only the deep mid-winter months offer nights dark and long enough for viewing, and only during periods of elevated Kp.

Jan

Feb

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May

Jun

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Dec

Czech Republic aurora at a glance

At 50–51°N magnetic latitude, the Czech Republic is one of the lower-latitude European countries where aurora has been confirmed. The Šumava plateau on the German and Austrian borders stands at 1,000–1,300 m above sea level. That elevation matters: mountain sites sit above much of the atmospheric haze and valley light pollution. The Bortle Class 2 conditions on Šumava's highest points are among the darkest in central Europe and comparable to Scotland's remote glens.

The Czech Republic benefits from its position between Poland to the north and Austria to the south. Strong storms that produce aurora in Germany's Baltic coast will often also reach the Czech mountain regions. During the current solar maximum, the country has seen several confirmed aurora events. Patience and a willingness to drive to high ground are the two requirements.

Aurora Locations Worldwide

Global hub for all aurora forecast regions.

Northern Lights Šumava Tonight

Šumava - the Czech Republic's best aurora position, Bortle Class 2 at 1,300 m.

Northern Lights Germany

Germany - north coast options with lower Kp thresholds.

Northern Lights Poland

Poland - adjacent country, similar latitude range.

What Is the Kp Index?

What Kp 6–7 means for aurora visibility at 50°N magnetic latitude.

Common questions

Northern lights in the Czech Republic - when, where, and what Kp is needed.

Can you see the northern lights in the Czech Republic?

Yes, during strong geomagnetic storms. The Czech Republic sits at 50–51°N magnetic latitude, and aurora requires G2–G3 storms (Kp 6–7) to be visible from most of the country. The Šumava and Krkonoše mountain regions have genuinely dark skies where low-altitude aurora can be detected. The G5 storm of May 2024 produced aurora photographed across Bohemia and Moravia, including from Prague's hillside parks.

What Kp is needed for aurora in the Czech Republic?

Kp 6–7 from rural dark sky areas such as Šumava or the Bohemian Forest. Kp 7–8 for aurora visible from Prague or Brno. The threshold is higher than Germany's north coast by 1–2 Kp steps due to lower latitude. During the current solar maximum, Kp 6+ events occur roughly 10–15 times per year - about 3–5 of those nights will be clear, giving a realistic expectation of 2–4 aurora nights per year from the Czech countryside.

What are the best dark sky sites in the Czech Republic for aurora?

Šumava National Park in the southwest - the Bohemian Forest plateau at 1,000–1,300 m elevation - is the Czech Republic's best combination of altitude, latitude, and darkness. Bortle Class 2 conditions on the high plateau are among the darkest in central Europe. Krkonoše (Giant Mountains) on the Polish border at 55°N geographic is the second option but is more likely to be overcast. The Jeseníky mountains in northern Moravia and Jizerské hory are also reasonable choices.

Can you see aurora from Prague?

Only during the strongest geomagnetic storms. Prague at 50°N needs Kp 7–8 - G3-level activity or above. The May 2024 G5 storm was visible from several Prague hills and parks. For regular storm events (G1-G2), leave the city entirely. The Brdy Hills forest 50 km southwest of Prague gives Bortle 3–4 conditions and a modest improvement in threshold. For the most accessible genuine dark sky from Prague, Šumava is the benchmark destination at about 2.5 hours south-west.

What happened during the May 2024 aurora in the Czech Republic?

The G5 storm of 10–11 May 2024 produced vivid red and green aurora photographed across the entire country. From Šumava's peaks and the hilltops of northern Bohemia, the display was dramatic. Even from within Prague, observers on elevated positions reported visible red glow. For many Czech observers, it was the first aurora they had ever seen. Such G5 events are rare - the last comparable storm was in 2003.

Northern lights Czech Republic tonight

7-day outlook for Czech Republic

Aurora visibility in the Czech Republic

Best time to see the northern lights in Czech Republic

Czech Republic aurora at a glance

Related pages

Common questions

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