Northern lights in Borgarnes tonight
West Iceland · 65° magnetic latitude · Kp 2-3 threshold
Kp 6 exceeds the visibility threshold for Borgarnes. Head out if skies are clear and you have a dark site.
7-day outlook for Borgarnes
Based on CME arrival predictions from NASA DONKI. Arrival times ±6 hours.
auroratonight.space
What Kp is needed here?
Borgarnes sits at a magnetic latitude of approximately 65°N. The Kp index - a global measure of geomagnetic activity on a scale from 0 (quiet) to 9 (extreme storm), updated every 3 hours - needs to reach Kp 2-3 before the auroral oval expands far enough south to be visible from here.
At Kp 2-3, visibility is possible from Borgarnes but skies need to be clear and dark. Cloud cover and light pollution remain the main obstacles even when Kp is high enough.
Best dark sky sites near Borgarnes
Light pollution is the biggest obstacle after cloud cover. These sites give you the best dark northern horizon within reach.
Borgarfjörður east shore
Get directions ↗The east shore of Borgarfjörður runs north from the town along a minor road with minimal development. The fjord opens wide here, and the northern horizon above the water is unobstructed for several kilometres of shoreline. Borgarnes itself is small enough that its lights fade quickly once you are past the town edge. The fjord surface mirrors aurora on calm nights, and the low hills of the Mýrar flatlands to the north keep the horizon dark. This is the most accessible dark sky position within minutes of Borgarnes accommodation, combining a broad northern view with fjord reflections and easy road access throughout winter.
Reykholt and the Reykholtsdalur valley
Get directions ↗Reykholt is a small historic settlement in the broad Reykholtsdalur valley, 30 minutes inland from Borgarnes on Route 50. The valley is agricultural with scattered farms and very little artificial light once away from the settlement. The flat valley floor gives open northern and eastern sky. The valley sides are low enough not to interrupt the aurora arc on the horizon. The Snorrastofa cultural centre has accommodation making this a viable overnight base for aurora touring in the Borgarfjörður region.
Bifröst and Grábrók crater area
Get directions ↗Grábrók is a small but perfectly preserved scoria crater cone adjacent to Route 1, about 35 minutes north of Borgarnes. The crater rises 170 m above the surrounding lava field and gives an elevated position above the valley floor. A short marked walking path reaches the rim. The Bifröst area around the crater is dark in all directions - the nearest settlement is Bifröst itself, a small service stop. The combination of the volcanic cone foreground and open sky to the north makes this a distinctive aurora position. The Route 1 pull-ins near the crater are accessible throughout winter.
Best time to see the northern lights in Borgarnes
At 65°N magnetic latitude, Borgarnes has one of the longest aurora seasons in the world. Meaningful darkness returns in late August and displays are possible on almost any clear night from September through March. Only the endless daylight of May, June, and July rules out viewing completely.
Activity peaks around the September and March equinoxes, when Earth's magnetic field geometry is most favourable for coupling with the solar wind. Events during these two windows tend to produce the strongest displays of the year for observers at Borgarnes's latitude.
May through July is effectively impossible for aurora viewing: the midnight sun keeps the sky bright around the clock at this latitude. No storm level, not even G5, can produce a visible display without astronomical darkness.
Up to 8 locations
How often does the aurora appear in Borgarnes?
Average nights per month the Kp reached Borgarnes's threshold of 2+, from 15 years of geomagnetic data (2010–2024).
Counts the Kp 2+ threshold only - cloud cover and local darkness are not included.
Kp data: GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, CC BY 4.0
Plan your trip to Borgarnes
Best window
The September to November window averages 61 aurora nights - the strongest consecutive stretch of the year.
How long to stay
For your best chance in March, plan at least 2 nights.
Related pages
Iceland aurora overview
Aurora forecasts for all major Iceland locations, with Kp thresholds and dark sky guidance.
Read →Snæfellsnes aurora forecast
Aurora forecast for the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, with Kirkjufell and the glacier coast.
Read →Akranes aurora forecast
Aurora forecast for Akranes, 45 minutes from Reykjavik with the lighthouse peninsula.
Read →Reykjavik aurora forecast
Aurora forecast for Reykjavik, with the Grótta lighthouse as the nearest dark sky.
Read →What is the Kp index?
A plain-language explanation of the Kp index and how to use it to plan an aurora trip.
Read →Planning your aurora trip
In-depth guides to help you plan a trip to see the northern lights.
Travel GuideIcelandNorway vs Iceland - Which is Better for Northern Lights?
Latitude, weather patterns, landscapes, cost, and accessibility compared head to head.
Travel GuideIcelandNorthern Lights Iceland - Complete Travel Guide
Best locations, when to go, Kp thresholds, and what to expect across the island.
ComparisonIcelandAurora Tonight vs Vedur.is - Iceland Aurora Forecast
Vedur.is is Iceland's official met office. How it compares to Aurora Tonight for Iceland-specific aurora planning.










