Northern lights in Latvia tonight
Aurora borealis over the Baltic coast near Cape Kolka, Latvia - Slītere National Park, Bortle Class 2, Kp 4 threshold.
How the sky looks right now
Live Kp index from NASA & NOAA, mapped to what it means across Latvia.
Low activity expected. Solar conditions are currently quiet. Chances of aurora visibility are low tonight.
How far south the glow reaches
At Kp 1, the auroral oval pushes down to ~76°N - covering every Latvia town below.
7-day outlook for Latvia
Predicted peak Kp each night, from NOAA's 3-day forecast and the 27-day solar-recurrence model.
Forecasts beyond 3 days are lower confidence - check back nightly as the outlook firms up.
Aurora visibility by town
Each spot lights up at a different Kp threshold thanks to its latitude. It comes down to the clouds.
Cape Kolka
58°NLatvia's best aurora position – Slītere National Park, Bortle Class 2
Sigulda
57°NGauja National Park – Turaida Castle, sandstone valley dark sky
Riga
58°NCapital hub – 90 min to Cape Kolka, gateway to Latvia aurora sites
Jūrmala
57°NGulf of Riga beach – 20 minutes from Riga by train
Three ways to do it
Cape Kolka
Bortle 2 Baltic coast, north-west-facing over open sea, Slītere NP
Threshold · Kp 4Sigulda
Gauja National Park sandstone gorge – Turaida Castle foreground
Threshold · Kp 4Riga
Capital with 90-minute drive to Cape Kolka; train to Jūrmala beach
Threshold · Kp 4Why Latvia stands out
Latvia sits between Estonia and Lithuania at 56–58°N magnetic latitude. The country's position on the eastern Baltic gives it access to north-facing open ocean horizons - an advantage over landlocked areas at the same latitude. Cape Kolka, where the Courland Peninsula narrows to a point and the Gulf of Riga meets the open Baltic, is Latvia's best aurora position. At 57.7°N geographic, the cape faces north-west with Slītere National Park providing Bortle 2 conditions.
Compared to Estonia directly to the north, Latvia needs slightly stronger activity - Kp 4–5 versus Kp 3–4 - but the Latvian coast is less well-known for aurora, which means fewer visitors and more isolated dark sky positions. Gauja National Park north-east of Riga is an accessible inland alternative with sandstone gorges and castle ruins providing dramatic foregrounds on active nights.
During G1–G2 storms Latvia sees aurora from its northern coast on clear nights, with several events per year during solar maximum. The equinox months of September and March are the most geomagnetically active. Monitor NOAA alerts and the LVĢMC weather forecast together - the coast often clears while inland areas remain overcast.
Compare Latvia locations tonight
Pre-filled with Latvia's top spots - search 400+ locations worldwide to compare any of them side by side.
Up to 8 locations
How often does the aurora appear in Latvia?
Average nights per month the Kp reached Riga's threshold, from 15 years of geomagnetic data (2010–2024).
Based on geomagnetic data 2010–2024. The Baltic coast can be foggy in autumn; the clearest aurora conditions tend to occur in February–March when cold stable high-pressure systems sit over the Baltic states.
Plan your trip to Latvia
Best window
October and March for the equinox activity boost. February and March benefit from cold, stable high-pressure systems that clear Baltic coastal cloud. Head to Cape Kolka for Bortle 2 conditions on a clear G1+ night.
Monitor alerts
Latvia sits right on the edge of regular aurora territory. Set up NOAA G-storm alerts and check the cloud forecast before making the 3-hour drive from Riga to Cape Kolka - the journey is only worthwhile on clear nights with Kp 4+.
Related pages
Aurora Locations Worldwide
Global hub for all aurora forecast regions.
Read →Northern Lights Riga Tonight
Riga - Cape Kolka and Gauja National Park, Kp 4-5.
Read →Northern Lights Estonia
Estonia aurora - Tallinn and Lahemaa, Kp 3-4.
Read →Northern Lights Finland
Finland aurora - Helsinki to Lapland.
Read →Northern Lights Sweden
Sweden aurora - Stockholm to Abisko.
Read →Aurora photographs from Latvia
Real photos sourced from Wikimedia Commons.
Aurora, Latvia (6188092139) 
Aurora, Latvia (6188092085) 
Aurora, Latvia (6188092023) 
Aurora, Latvia (6188612678) 
ISS-66 City lights of Northern Europe Guides for visiting Latvia
In-depth planning resources for your northern lights trip.
Travel guide Destination Can You See the Northern Lights in Latvia?
Kp 4 threshold, Cape Kolka dark sky, and how Latvia fits the Baltic aurora circuit.
Travel guide Planning How to Plan a Northern Lights Trip
Complete guide to timing, destination choice, packing, and realistic expectations.
Science Science What Is the Kp Index?
How the Kp index works and what Kp 4 means for aurora watching in Latvia.
Travel guide Tours Best Northern Lights Tours 2025
Curated list of the best aurora tours from the Baltic states to Lapland.
