Kp index guide › Kp 2 locations

Kp scale

Kp 2 aurora locations

At Kp 2, aurora becomes visible across most of northern Scandinavia, Iceland, and the high-latitude Canadian territories. The auroral oval expands slightly south of its Kp 1 position, bringing aurora within reach of popular destinations like Tromsø, Akureyri, and Whitehorse on most clear nights during the season.

Kp 2 is a step up from Kp 1 and below Kp 3.

Kp 2+ aurora locations in Scandinavia

The Kp 2 oval covers all the Kp 1 locations plus Lofoten, Reykjavik, and more of Iceland. Whitehorse in Yukon also becomes viable.

Kp 2+ aurora locations in the UK and Ireland

Scotland and Shetland are within range at Kp 2. These are the southernmost UK locations that regularly see aurora at low activity levels.

Kp 2+ aurora locations in North America

Whitehorse and Anchorage come into range at Kp 2, expanding the accessible zone south into southern Yukon and south-central Alaska.

Locations are sorted by tonight's cloud cover - clearest conditions first. Updated every 30 minutes.

Current Kp level

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Quiet G1 storm G3 Extreme

Current Kp 1 is below the Kp 2+ threshold. The locations on this page are not currently active.

Abisko

Sweden's aurora capital, cloudless micro-climate

68° magnetic lat

Alta

Northern Norway, polar night

70° magnetic lat

Bodø

Above Arctic Circle, Lofoten gateway

67° magnetic lat

Churchill

Sub-Arctic Manitoba, auroral oval

69° magnetic lat

Dawson City

Yukon gold rush town inside the aurora oval

65° magnetic lat

Fairbanks

Alaska, auroral oval, Cleary Summit

68° magnetic lat

Gällivare

Dundret fell, less-visited Lapland

68° magnetic lat

Ilulissat

UNESCO Icefjord, icebergs and aurora

72° magnetic lat

Ivalo

Finland's northernmost town at 69°N

69° magnetic lat

Jukkasjärvi

ICEHOTEL on the Torne River

68° magnetic lat

Kangerlussuaq

Clearest skies in Greenland, tundra dark sky

73° magnetic lat

Kiruna

ICEHOTEL and Swedish Lapland aurora

68° magnetic lat

Kittilä

Direct flights, gateway to Levi

68° magnetic lat

Kvaløya

Tromsø island, Kattfjordeidet headland

70° magnetic lat

Levi

Lapland ski resort, glass igloos

68° magnetic lat

Luosto

Purpose-built aurora resort

67° magnetic lat

Lyngen Alps

Alpine fjord scenery, 70°N

70° magnetic lat

Nuuk

Greenland capital, Nuup Kangerlua fjord

71° magnetic lat

Saariselkä

Finland's best dark-sky area

68° magnetic lat

Senja

Island of contrasts, dramatic coastline

69° magnetic lat

Svalbard

Inside the auroral oval year-round

78° magnetic lat

Tromsø

World's aurora capital

70° magnetic lat

Yellowknife

Aurora capital of North America

69° magnetic lat

Ylläs

Finland's highest fell at 718 m

68° magnetic lat

Akureyri

North Iceland, Lake Mývatn

66° magnetic lat

Anchorage

Alaska, Kp 2 from the Chugach Range

65° magnetic lat

Húsavík

North Iceland, Skjálfandi Bay

66° magnetic lat

Lofoten Islands

Dramatic coastline and dark skies

68° magnetic lat

Reykjavik

Capital, Grótta lighthouse area

65° magnetic lat

Rovaniemi

Gateway to Finnish Lapland

66° magnetic lat

Scotland

Scotland aurora hub — Shetland to Galloway

57° magnetic lat

Shetland Islands

Scotland's northernmost islands

61° magnetic lat

Snæfellsbær

Kirkjufell mountain, Grundarfjörður

65° magnetic lat

Snæfellsnes

Glacier peninsula, Kirkjufell mountain

65° magnetic lat

Umeå

Northern Sweden, High Coast aurora

64° magnetic lat

Vopnafjörður

Northeast Iceland, Bortle Class 1 fjord

65° magnetic lat

Westfjords

Iceland's most remote, darkest region

66° magnetic lat

Whitehorse

Yukon, dark skies and wilderness lodges

67° magnetic lat

Common questions

What is the difference between Kp 1 and Kp 2 for aurora?

The difference is modest but meaningful. At Kp 2 the auroral oval expands south by a few degrees of latitude, bringing aurora within range of Reykjavik, Akureyri, the Lofoten Islands, Rovaniemi, and Whitehorse in the Yukon. Kp 1 locations are active at Kp 2 too - this is a cumulative list.

What are the best Kp 2 destinations?

Reykjavik and Akureyri in Iceland are among the most popular Kp 2 destinations, with good transport links and a well-developed aurora tourism industry. The Lofoten Islands in Norway add a dramatic coastal landscape to a Kp 2 threshold. Whitehorse in the Yukon and Rovaniemi in Lapland are also accessible at Kp 2.

How often does Kp reach 2?

Kp 2 is common - it occurs during most nights of elevated but not stormy solar activity. During the current solar maximum, Kp 2 events are routine. For anyone at a Kp 2 location, the limiting factor is almost always cloud cover, not geomagnetic activity.

Can you see aurora in Iceland at Kp 2?

Yes. Reykjavik sits at around 65°N magnetic latitude - just within range at Kp 2, especially from the Grótta lighthouse peninsula away from city lights. Akureyri and the north coast of Iceland are more reliably active at Kp 2. The Westfjords and Húsavík also sit at this threshold.

What should you expect from Kp 2 aurora?

At Kp 2 you can expect a low arc on the northern horizon from most high-latitude locations, brightening occasionally into active bands. It is not a dramatic storm-level display, but from a Kp 2 location it can be a clear, sustained arc that responds to photography well. At locations near the threshold boundary, the aurora may flicker and fade.

Other Kp levels

Kp 1 locations Kp 3 locations Kp 4 locations Kp 5 locations Kp 6 locations Kp 7 locations Kp 8 locations Kp 9 locations

Photograph the Aurora - Recommended Gear

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Camera

Sony Alpha 7 III Mirrorless Camera

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Nikon Z6 II Mirrorless Camera Kit

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Canon EOS R6 Mark II

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Nikon Z 50II Body

Lens

Rokinon 14mm F2.8 Ultra Wide Lens

Lens

Sigma 16mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary

Tripod

K&F Concept 60" Carbon Fibre Tripod

Accessory

AODELAN Wireless Camera Remote (Nikon)

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K&F LP-E17 3-pack Battery & Charger (Canon)

Accessory

Winter Mittens Gloves

Accessory

BORUIT LED Head Torch