Live aurora forecast

Northern lights Greenland tonight

Greenland's west coast runs from 64°N to 73°N magnetic latitude - inside the auroral oval for most of its length. Select a location for a local forecast and dark sky guide.

Aurora forecast - Greenland

Possible tonight

Kp 1 is at the threshold for Greenland's highest-latitude locations. Aurora may be visible from dark sky sites in the far north.

Current Kp

of 9

Best threshold in Greenland: Kp 1 across the west coast Ref. latitude: ~71°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 Greenland

Today

19 May

Quiet

Tomorrow

20 May

Quiet

Thu

21 May

Quiet

Fri

22 May

Quiet

Sat

23 May

Quiet

Sun

24 May

Quiet

Mon

25 May

Quiet

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

Aurora visibility by Greenlandic location

Nuuk

Possible

Capital city, Nuup Kangerlua fjord

~71°N mag. lat. Needs Kp 1+

Ilulissat

Possible

UNESCO Icefjord, icebergs and aurora

~72°N mag. lat. Needs Kp 1+

Kangerlussuaq

Possible

Clearest skies in Greenland, tundra dark sky

~73°N mag. lat. Needs Kp 1+

Best time to see the northern lights in Greenland

Greenland's best aurora locations sit at high magnetic latitude where the auroral oval is overhead for much of the year. Meaningful darkness returns in late August and displays are possible on almost any clear night from September through March.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Greenland aurora at a glance

Greenland's west coast sits at 70–73°N magnetic latitude - firmly inside the auroral oval. Kp 1 is sufficient for aurora from most of the settled coast. The difference between Greenland and other aurora destinations at comparable latitudes is the landscape: icebergs, icecap margins, and fjord walls provide foregrounds found nowhere else on earth. Air Greenland operates flights from Copenhagen and Reykjavik; the main hub is Nuuk with onward connections to Ilulissat and Kangerlussuaq.

Kangerlussuaq is the standout location for clear skies - it sits in a rain shadow that gives clear-sky rates comparable to Abisko in Sweden. Nuuk and Ilulissat have more dramatic scenery (fjords, icebergs) but also more cloud. The trade-off between scenery and sky clarity is the central decision for any Greenland aurora trip.

Northern Lights Norway

Norway aurora hub - comparable latitudes, easier access.

Northern Lights Svalbard Tonight

Svalbard - similar latitude to northern Greenland.

What Is the Kp Index?

How Kp 1 triggers aurora inside the auroral oval.

Aurora Locations Worldwide

Global aurora forecast hub.

Northern Lights Ilulissat Tonight

Ilulissat Icefjord - icebergs and aurora at 72°N.

Common questions

Northern lights in Greenland - where to go, when to go, and what to expect.

How do I get to Greenland for aurora watching?

Air Greenland operates scheduled flights from Copenhagen and Reykjavik into Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq. Nuuk is the main hub, with onward domestic connections to Ilulissat, Kangerlussuaq, and other settlements. There are no roads between settlements - all inter-town travel is by plane or boat. From the UK, Copenhagen is the most convenient connection point; from North America, Reykjavik. Book Air Greenland domestic legs well in advance during the aurora season, as seat numbers are small.

What Kp is needed for aurora in Greenland?

Kp 1 is sufficient from the west coast settlements. The Kp index - a global measure of geomagnetic activity on a scale from 0 (quiet) to 9 (extreme storm) - sits at 1 or above on many nights throughout the aurora season. At 70-73°N magnetic latitude, Greenland's west coast sits inside the auroral oval, meaning aurora can occur even during quiet conditions. This is a meaningfully lower threshold than most European aurora destinations south of the Arctic Circle.

Is Greenland expensive for aurora tourism?

Yes - Greenland is one of the more expensive aurora destinations. Flights are limited and prices reflect the thin route network. Accommodation in Ilulissat and Nuuk is priced at Scandinavian levels. Kangerlussuaq has fewer options but also fewer tourists. Budget for flights, accommodation, and any guided boat or snowmobile trips separately. The trade-off is genuine remoteness and landscapes that are not replicable elsewhere.

Which is better for aurora - Nuuk or Ilulissat?

Ilulissat is generally the stronger choice. It is 5° further north, sits closer to the auroral oval centre, and the Icefjord foreground - with icebergs up to 100 m tall - is unique. Nuuk has more infrastructure, easier connections, and the Nuup Kangerlua fjord is dramatic, but it is also cloudier and further south. If clear skies are the priority, Kangerlussuaq beats both - its rain shadow location gives clear-sky rates that rival Abisko in Sweden.

When is the best time to visit Greenland for aurora?

September through April. October to February gives the most darkness, with polar night arriving in Ilulissat around mid-November and lasting until late January. September and March combine reasonable darkness with slightly higher geomagnetic activity around the equinox. Mid-winter in Kangerlussuaq has the most reliable clear skies. Avoid July and August - the sky barely darkens north of the Arctic Circle.

Northern lights Greenland tonight

7-day outlook for Greenland

Aurora visibility by Greenlandic location

Best time to see the northern lights in Greenland

Greenland aurora at a glance

Related pages

Common questions

Photograph the Aurora - Recommended Gear