All locations Lithuania Vilnius

Northern lights Vilnius tonight

Vilnius is Lithuania's baroque capital at 54°N magnetic latitude. The city itself is too light-polluted for faint aurora but the surrounding Lithuanian countryside reaches Bortle Class 3 within 70 minutes. Kp 5 is the threshold from dark sites including the Molėtai Observatory area and Aukštaitija National Park. During strong storms (Kp 7+), aurora has been photographed from the city's hilltop viewpoints. Best season: September to March.

Aurora visibility - Vilnius

Unlikely tonight

Kp 1 is well below the Kp 5 threshold needed for aurora to be visible from Vilnius.

Current Kp

1

of 9

Threshold for Vilnius: Kp 5 Magnetic latitude: ~54°N Updated: 21 May, 22:55 UTC
↓ Bz nT Solar wind km/s Density p/cm³
Conditions right now: Kp + Bz + solar wind + cloud + moon

7-day outlook for Vilnius

Today

21 May

Quiet

Tomorrow

22 May

Quiet

Sat

23 May

Quiet

Sun

24 May

Quiet

Mon

25 May

Quiet

Tue

26 May

Quiet

Wed

27 May

Quiet

Based on CME arrival predictions from NASA DONKI. Arrival times ±6 hours.

What Kp is needed here?

Vilnius sits at a magnetic latitude of approximately 54°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 5 before the auroral oval expands far enough south to be visible from here.

At Kp 5, visibility is possible from Vilnius 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 Vilnius

Light pollution is the biggest obstacle after cloud cover. These sites give you the best dark northern horizon within reach.

Verkiai Regional Park

Get directions ↗
Bortle Class 4 - Rural/suburban sky 8 km from Vilnius centre - approximately 15 minute drive

Verkiai Regional Park follows the Neris river valley immediately north of Vilnius, with the park boundary 8 km from the city centre giving a marked reduction in sky brightness compared to the urban area. The valley slopes have northward-facing viewpoints above the river, and the Verkiai Palace ruins on a hilltop within the park give an elevated position. Conditions improve from Bortle Class 4 in the valley toward Class 3-4 on the northern slopes. The park is accessible by bus from central Vilnius year-round.

Molėtai Astronomical Observatory area

Get directions ↗
Bortle Class 3 - Rural sky 70 km from Vilnius - approximately 1 hour drive

The Molėtai Observatory is Lithuania's main professional astronomical facility, operated by the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy and located on a hillside above the lake district because of its low light pollution - the site was chosen specifically for dark sky. The surrounding landscape of lakes and forest in the Molėtai region reaches Bortle Class 3, and the observatory hilltop gives open sky in all directions. Aurora events are sometimes observed and documented from the facility. The drive from Vilnius north on the A14 takes approximately 1 hour.

Aukštaitija National Park

Get directions ↗
Bortle Class 3 - Rural sky 120 km from Vilnius - approximately 1 hour 30 minute drive

Aukštaitija is Lithuania's oldest national park, established in 1974, covering a lake and forest landscape in northeast Lithuania with around 100 lakes within the park boundary. The lakesides give water reflection foregrounds for aurora with open northern horizons across the flat lake surfaces, and the park reaches Bortle Class 3 throughout the interior. Accommodation is available within the park at several lake resorts, and Ignalina town on the park edge is the nearest settlement. The drive from Vilnius takes around 90 minutes via the A14 north and local roads east.

Best time to see the northern lights in Vilnius

At 54°N magnetic latitude, Vilnius sits at the lower end of regular aurora territory. Only the deep mid-winter months of November through January offer nights dark enough for aurora to be visible, and only then when a significant geomagnetic storm pushes the auroral oval this far south.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

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 Vilnius's latitude.

Outside November through January, twilight is too bright for aurora viewing even during significant storms. The season is short, but the equinox months on either side of winter can extend it slightly when storm timing aligns.

Common questions

Northern lights from Vilnius - Molėtai Observatory, Aukštaitija National Park, and when to go.

What Kp is needed for aurora in Vilnius?
The Kp index is a global measure of geomagnetic activity on a scale from 0 (quiet) to 9 (extreme storm), updated every 3 hours. Vilnius at 54°N magnetic latitude - the same band as Moscow and the north of England - needs Kp 5 for aurora from dark sites outside the city. The Kp 5 threshold corresponds to a G1 geomagnetic storm, which occurs on average 20-30 times per year during solar maximum. From Molėtai or Aukštaitija at Bortle Class 3, Kp 5 conditions produce a green arc on the northern horizon. The city itself requires Kp 6-7 due to light pollution.
Is Vilnius or Klaipėda better for aurora?
Klaipėda is better for aurora, for two reasons. Klaipėda at 55°N magnetic latitude has a slightly lower threshold than Vilnius at 54°N. More significantly, Klaipėda faces the open Baltic with a direct north-facing sea horizon - a flat, unobstructed view that inland Vilnius cannot match. The Curonian Spit south of Klaipėda gives among the darkest coastal positions in Lithuania. Vilnius compensates with better transport links and Aukštaitija National Park as a distinctive lake landscape. For a dedicated aurora trip, the coast is the better base.
Can you see aurora from Vilnius itself?
Only during significant storms (Kp 7+). Vilnius has a population of 600,000 and generates substantial light pollution. The Kalnai Park viewpoint on the Three Crosses Hill gives an elevated position north of the old town that reduces foreground light dome, but the city glow remains. In May 2024, during the G5 storm (Kp 9), aurora was photographed from within central Vilnius - but that event was exceptional. Routine aurora watching requires a drive to Verkiai, Molėtai, or Aukštaitija.
What is the Molėtai Observatory and why is it useful for aurora?
The Molėtai Observatory was built by the Soviet Academy of Sciences on a remote hilltop in the Lithuanian lake district, specifically because the area was identified as having among the lowest light pollution in the Baltic Soviet republics. The 1.65 m optical telescope there is the largest in the Baltic states. The surrounding lake and forest landscape gives Bortle Class 3 sky across a wide area. Aurora events are occasionally coordinated with observatory observations. The drive north from Vilnius on the A14 is straightforward, and the hillside position above Molėtai gives open sky with a modest altitude advantage.
When is the aurora season in Vilnius?
September to March. Lithuania at 54°N geographic barely achieves full astronomical darkness in June, making summer observation impractical. The equinox months of September and March are the most geomagnetically active. The Lithuanian climate gives cold, stable winter weather with periodic high-pressure systems that clear the sky - particularly in February and early March. Monitor LHMT (the Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service) cloud forecasts alongside aurora alerts.

Photograph the Aurora - Recommended Gear

This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sony Alpha 7 III Mirrorless Camera
Camera

Sony Alpha 7 III Mirrorless Camera

View on Amazon
Nikon Z6 II Mirrorless Camera Kit
Camera

Nikon Z6 II Mirrorless Camera Kit

View on Amazon
Canon EOS R6 Mark II
Camera

Canon EOS R6 Mark II

View on Amazon
Nikon Z 50II Body
Camera

Nikon Z 50II Body

View on Amazon
Rokinon 14mm F2.8 Ultra Wide Lens
Lens

Rokinon 14mm F2.8 Ultra Wide Lens

View on Amazon
Sigma 16mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary
Lens

Sigma 16mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary

View on Amazon
K&F Concept 60" Carbon Fibre Tripod
Tripod

K&F Concept 60" Carbon Fibre Tripod

View on Amazon
AODELAN Wireless Camera Remote (Nikon)
Accessory

AODELAN Wireless Camera Remote (Nikon)

View on Amazon
K&F LP-E17 3-pack Battery & Charger (Canon)
Accessory

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

View on Amazon
Winter Mittens Gloves
Accessory

Winter Mittens Gloves

View on Amazon
BORUIT LED Head Torch
Accessory

BORUIT LED Head Torch

View on Amazon
Aurora Tonight

Aurora Tonight

Add to your home screen for instant aurora alerts

Add to your home screen

Tap then Add to Home Screen for instant aurora alerts