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Live aurora forecast

Northern lights Estonia tonight

Estonia at ~60°N magnetic latitude needs Kp 3-4 - the same threshold as Bergen in Norway. Aurora is a regular occurrence here during active solar periods. Lahemaa National Park on the north coast gives Bortle 2-3 dark sky facing the Gulf of Finland. Several worthwhile events per year during solar maximum.

Current Kp: 1 · Quiet

Aurora visibility by location

Tallinn

Unlikely

Lahemaa coast and Paldiski Peninsula — Kp 3-4

~60°N mag. lat. · Needs Kp 3+

Estonia aurora at a glance

Estonia is one of the best-positioned countries in Europe for aurora watching outside of Scandinavia. At 58-60°N magnetic latitude, the Kp 3-4 threshold brings aurora into range during minor to moderate geomagnetic storms. The north coast - from the Paldiski Peninsula west of Tallinn through Lahemaa National Park to the east - faces directly north over the Gulf of Finland with open sky to the polar regions beyond.

The country's relatively low population density and limited industrial development means light pollution is lower than equivalent-latitude western European countries. Lahemaa, Estonia's largest national park, is genuinely dark - Bortle 2-3 on the coast. For European travellers looking for aurora at a lower threshold than the Netherlands or Germany, Estonia offers a practical and underrated alternative to Scandinavia.

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Common questions

Northern lights in Estonia - thresholds, Lahemaa, and aurora frequency.

Can you see the northern lights in Estonia?
Yes, regularly during active periods. Estonia at 58-60°N magnetic latitude needs only Kp 3-4 for aurora from dark coastal sites. Tallinn at 60°N sits at the same latitude band as Bergen in Norway. G1 storms (Kp 5) produce clear aurora visible from most of Estonia's north coast. During solar maximum, Estonia sees multiple worthwhile aurora events per year.
How often can you see aurora in Estonia?
Several times per year during active solar periods. At Kp 3-4, Estonia catches the southern edge of the auroral oval during minor to moderate storms. Lahemaa National Park on the north coast produces verified aurora photographs at Kp 3-4 multiple times per season. The combination of low light pollution inland and open north-facing coast gives Estonia a genuine advantage over its latitude equivalent in western Europe.
Where is the best place to see aurora in Estonia?
Lahemaa National Park on the north coast, 70 km east of Tallinn. The park coastline faces north over the Gulf of Finland. The beaches at Käsmu and Altja give Bortle 2-3 dark sky with minimal artificial light for many kilometres. The Paldiski Peninsula, 50 km west of Tallinn, gives a quicker alternative with north-facing cliff positions over the Gulf of Finland. For the darkest inland options, south Estonia around Soomaa National Park is among the least light-polluted areas in the country.
What Kp is needed for aurora in Estonia?
Kp 3-4 from Lahemaa and the north coast. Kp 4-5 for aurora visible from Tallinn's northern suburbs. Kp 5 for visibility from the city against urban light pollution. Estonia's threshold compares favourably with Bergen (Kp 3-4) and Edinburgh (Kp 4-5). G1 storms, which occur roughly 20-30 times per year during solar maximum, produce visible aurora from Estonian dark sites.
When is the best time for aurora in Estonia?
September to April. Estonia at 59°N geographic has around 17 hours of darkness in December. The equinox months of September and March are the most geomagnetically active. The combination of long dark nights in October and March with equinoctial activity gives these months the best overall probability. Avoid June and July - at 59°N it barely gets dark enough for aurora in midsummer.