Aurora Tonight
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Live aurora forecast

Northern lights Iceland tonight

Iceland sits at 64–66°N magnetic latitude. Kp 2–3 is enough for aurora across most of the island. Best season: September to April - no aurora is visible during the summer midnight sun months.

Current Kp: 1 · Quiet

Aurora visibility by Icelandic location

Akureyri

Low chance

North Iceland, Lake Mývatn

~66°N mag. lat. · Needs Kp 2+

Reykjavik

Low chance

Capital - Grótta lighthouse

~65°N mag. lat. · Needs Kp 2+

Golden Circle

Unlikely

Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss

~64°N mag. lat. · Needs Kp 3+

Jökulsárlón

Unlikely

Glacial lagoon, south coast

~64°N mag. lat. · Needs Kp 3+

Iceland aurora at a glance

Iceland sits in the middle of the auroral oval - roughly 64–66°N magnetic latitude across most of the island. This means Kp 2-3 is sufficient for aurora from almost anywhere in Iceland away from Reykjavik's light dome. The island's lack of major urban development outside the capital means finding dark sky is rarely more than 20 minutes from any settlement.

The south coast between Seljalandsfoss and Jökulsárlón is Iceland's most photographed aurora corridor - glacier lagoon, black sand beaches, and waterfalls all provide dramatic foregrounds. Jökulsárlón in particular, with the glacier tongue of Breiðamerkurjökull behind and icebergs floating on the dark lagoon, is one of the world's great aurora photography locations.

Related pages

Aurora Locations Worldwide

Global hub for all aurora forecast regions.

Northern Lights Reykjavik Tonight

Reykjavik - Iceland's capital and the Grótta lighthouse.

Northern Lights Jökulsárlón Tonight

The glacial lagoon - Iceland's most iconic aurora foreground.

Northern Lights Norway

Compare with Norway's aurora from Oslo to Svalbard.

What Is the Kp Index?

How Kp determines aurora visibility across Iceland.

Common questions

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

When is the best time to see the northern lights in Iceland?
September to April. Iceland has midnight sun from late May through July, during which there is no astronomical darkness and aurora cannot be seen regardless of activity. The season opens in late August and closes in mid-April. October and March are the most statistically active months for geomagnetic events. Mid-winter (December-January) has the longest darkness but weather is often poor.
What Kp is needed for northern lights in Iceland?
Kp 2-3 from most of Iceland. Reykjavik at 65°N needs Kp 2 from the Grótta lighthouse on the west coast; the south coast around Jökulsárlón at 64°N needs Kp 3. Akureyri in the north at 66°N can see aurora at Kp 2. Iceland is well inside the aurora zone for moderate geomagnetic events.
Where is the best place in Iceland for aurora?
Away from Reykjavik's light pollution. The south coast between Vík and Jökulsárlón gives dark skies and iconic foregrounds. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula on the west gives dark Atlantic coastline. Akureyri and the Mývatn area in the north give excellent conditions with easy accommodation. The Golden Circle is accessible from Reykjavik and dark enough at night.
Can you see aurora from Reykjavik?
From the Grótta lighthouse on Seltjarnarnes, at the western tip of the Reykjavik peninsula, yes - this is the closest proper dark sky to the city. The lighthouse faces north-west over open sea. During active events (Kp 3+) aurora is visible even from the city centre waterfront. Turn off your phone screen and let your eyes adjust.
Is Iceland or Norway better for northern lights?
Different strengths. Iceland's south coast (Jökulsárlón) and Snæfellsnes give unique volcanic and glacial foregrounds unmatched anywhere. Iceland's weather is volatile - clear windows come and go quickly. Norway's far north (Tromsø, Lofoten) has a lower Kp threshold and a better-developed guided tour industry for cloud-chasing. Both are excellent; which is better depends on what scenery you want behind the aurora.