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Live aurora forecast

Northern lights Netherlands tonight

The Netherlands at ~54°N magnetic latitude needs Kp 6-7 - a G2-G3 geomagnetic storm. Aurora is visible here only during strong storms. The G5 event of May 2024 produced sightings across the country. The Wadden Sea coast and Zeeland beaches give the best dark-sky north-facing positions.

Current Kp: 1 · Quiet

Aurora visibility by location

Amsterdam

Unlikely

North Holland coast and Wadden Sea islands

~54°N mag. lat. · Needs Kp 6+

Rotterdam

Unlikely

South Holland and Zeeland coast

~54°N mag. lat. · Needs Kp 6+

Netherlands aurora at a glance

The Netherlands sits at 52-54°N magnetic latitude. Aurora is possible here, but only during G2-G3 storms or stronger. The country's flat landscape and extensive North Sea and Wadden Sea coastline work in its favour - from the Wadden islands and the North Holland dune coast, north-facing dark-sky positions are reachable without long drives. The limiting factor is storm strength.

The G5 storm of May 2024 was the strongest geomagnetic event in over 20 years and produced aurora photographed from across the Netherlands. That is the benchmark. G2-G3 events, which occur a handful of times per year during solar maximum, may produce faint or camera-only aurora from dark coastal sites. A north-facing horizon and clear skies are non-negotiable.

Related pages

Aurora Locations Worldwide

Global hub for all aurora forecast regions.

Northern Lights Amsterdam Tonight

Amsterdam - Texel and North Holland coast, Kp 6-7.

Northern Lights Rotterdam Tonight

Rotterdam - Zeeland coast and Goeree-Overflakkee, Kp 6-7.

Northern Lights Germany

Germany aurora forecast - Hamburg and Berlin.

Northern Lights UK

UK aurora forecast - Scotland to London.

Common questions

Northern lights in the Netherlands - storm thresholds, coastal dark sky sites, and what to expect.

Can you see the northern lights in the Netherlands?
Yes, but only during strong geomagnetic storms. The Netherlands at ~54°N magnetic latitude needs Kp 6-7 before aurora reaches this far south. This requires G2-G3 geomagnetic activity. The G5 storm of May 2024 produced aurora visible across the Netherlands - photographed from Amsterdam's Vondelpark, the beaches of Zeeland, and the Wadden islands. Outside major events like that, aurora is not visible from the Netherlands.
What Kp is needed for aurora in the Netherlands?
Kp 6 from dark coastal sites - the Wadden Sea islands, the North Holland dune coast near Texel, and the Zeeland beaches. Kp 7 for aurora visible from Amsterdam or Rotterdam suburbs. G2 storms (Kp 5-6) are needed as a minimum. These occur several times per year during solar maximum but align with clear skies and night-time darkness less frequently.
Where is the best place to see aurora in the Netherlands?
The Wadden Sea islands, particularly Texel, give the darkest north-facing positions in the Netherlands. The north coast of Texel at De Cocksdorp faces directly over the North Sea. The North Holland dune coast near Schoorl and Bergen aan Zee is accessible from Amsterdam without a ferry crossing. Zeeland's south-west coast - Goeree-Overflakkee and Schouwen-Duiveland - is the best option for Rotterdam visitors, with north-west-facing beaches and low light pollution.
Has aurora been seen from the Netherlands?
Yes. The G5 storm of May 2024 produced the most widespread Dutch aurora sighting in decades. Photographs came from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, the Wadden islands, and coastal Zeeland. Historically, Dutch records note aurora during the Carrington Event of 1859 and the Halloween storms of 2003. The May 2024 event is the modern benchmark for what is possible from the Netherlands during an extreme storm.
When is the best time for aurora in the Netherlands?
September to March, when nights are long enough for aurora to be visible in darkness. The Netherlands has very short summer nights at 52°N geographic latitude. The equinox months of September and March are statistically more geomagnetically active. Monitor NOAA space weather alerts for any G2+ storm forecast and check the KNMI cloud forecast before heading to the coast.