Northern lights in Netherlands tonight
Aurora borealis over the North Sea coast near Texel, Netherlands - Wadden Sea island, north-facing, Kp 6 threshold.
How the sky looks right now
Live Kp index from NASA & NOAA, mapped to what it means across Netherlands.
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 Netherlands town below.
7-day outlook for Netherlands
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.
Three ways to do it
Texel
Wadden island, north-facing over open North Sea, darkest Dutch position
Threshold · Kp 6Amsterdam
North Holland dune coast within 30 min - Bergen aan Zee north-facing
Threshold · Kp 6Rotterdam
Zeeland coast: Goeree-Overflakkee faces north-west over open water
Threshold · Kp 6Why the Netherlands stands out
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.
Texel in the Wadden Sea gives the darkest north-facing position in the Netherlands. The North Holland dune coast near Schoorl and Bergen aan Zee is accessible from Amsterdam without a ferry crossing. For Rotterdam visitors, Zeeland's south-west coast - Goeree-Overflakkee and Schouwen-Duiveland - provides north-west-facing beaches and lower light pollution.
Compare Netherlands locations tonight
Pre-filled with Netherlands's top spots - search 400+ locations worldwide to compare any of them side by side.
How often does the aurora appear in Netherlands?
Average nights per month the Kp reached Texel's threshold, from 15 years of geomagnetic data (2010–2024).
Based on geomagnetic data 2010–2024. The Netherlands needs G2+ storms for any aurora - events are rare but occur several times per year during solar maximum. Cloud from Atlantic weather systems is the main obstacle.
Plan your trip to Netherlands
Best window
March and October around the equinox for the highest probability of a G2+ storm. Head to Texel or the North Holland dune coast for the best dark-sky north-facing position. The G5 storm of May 2024 showed the country has genuine aurora potential during extreme events.
Storm-dependent viewing
Aurora in the Netherlands is storm-dependent, not season-dependent. Set NOAA G2+ alerts for year-round notification. When a G2+ storm is forecast, check the KNMI cloud map and drive to the coast - most Dutch aurora sightings happen with less than 6 hours of notice.
Related pages
Aurora Locations Worldwide
Global hub for all aurora forecast regions.
Read →Northern Lights Amsterdam Tonight
Amsterdam - Texel and North Holland coast, Kp 6-7.
Read →Northern Lights Rotterdam Tonight
Rotterdam - Zeeland coast and Goeree-Overflakkee, Kp 6-7.
Read →Northern Lights Germany
Germany aurora forecast - Hamburg and Berlin.
Read →Northern Lights UK
UK aurora forecast - Scotland to London.
Read →Aurora photographs from Netherlands
Real photos sourced from Wikimedia Commons.
Northern lights (53674179768) Guides for visiting Netherlands
In-depth planning resources for your northern lights trip.
Travel guide Destination Can You See the Northern Lights in the Netherlands?
Storm thresholds, coastal dark sky sites, and what the May 2024 G5 event showed is possible.
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 6 means for aurora watching in the Netherlands.
Travel guide Tours Best Northern Lights Tours 2025
Curated list of aurora tours from Scandinavia to closer mid-latitude destinations.
