Northern lights in Amsterdam tonight
North Holland, Netherlands · 54° magnetic latitude · Kp 6–7 threshold
Kp 1 is well below the Kp 6–7 threshold needed for aurora to be visible from Amsterdam.
7-day outlook for Amsterdam
Based on CME arrival predictions from NASA DONKI. Arrival times ±6 hours.
auroratonight.space
What Kp is needed here?
Amsterdam 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 6–7 before the auroral oval expands far enough south to be visible from here.
At Kp 6–7, visibility is possible from Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam
Light pollution is the biggest obstacle after cloud cover. These sites give you the best dark northern horizon within reach.
Texel (Wadden Sea)
Get directions ↗The largest of the Wadden Sea islands, accessible by ferry from Den Helder, 90 km north of Amsterdam. The north coast at De Cocksdorp faces directly over the North Sea with no land obstruction. Bortle 2-3 away from the small settlement at the island's north tip. The beach at De Koog on the west coast faces north-west across open water. This is the best accessible dark-sky north-facing position within reach of Amsterdam - the ferry crossing adds 20 minutes to the journey.
Schoorlse Duinen (North Holland coast)
Get directions ↗A coastal dune nature reserve 60 km north of Amsterdam near Schoorl and Bergen aan Zee. The west-facing dune crest gives elevated positions above the flat polder landscape, with the North Sea horizon to the north-west. Drive the N9 north from Alkmaar and park at the Bergen aan Zee beach entrance. No ferry needed. The dunes block most light pollution from inland, giving Bortle 3 conditions on the shore. Accessible from Amsterdam in under an hour.
Nationaal Park Nieuw Land (Flevoland shore)
Get directions ↗The north shore of Flevoland faces across the IJsselmeer with open sky to the north. 60 km east of Amsterdam near Lelystad. Flat reclaimed land means no horizon obstruction. Less dark than the coast (Bortle 4-5) but avoids the ferry crossing and gives a north-facing open horizon. The dyke road at Houtribdijk between Enkhuizen and Lelystad offers 20 km of north-facing waterside positions.
Best time to see the northern lights in Amsterdam
At 54°N magnetic latitude, Amsterdam 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.
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 Amsterdam'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.
Other Netherlands aurora forecasts
How often does the aurora appear in Amsterdam?
Average nights per month the Kp reached Amsterdam's threshold of 6+, from 15 years of geomagnetic data (2010–2024).
Counts the Kp 6+ threshold only - cloud cover and local darkness are not included.
Kp data: GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, CC BY 4.0
Plan your trip to Amsterdam
Best window
The January to March window averages 1 aurora nights - the strongest consecutive stretch of the year.
How long to stay
Aurora at this latitude requires patience - allow as many nights as possible during March.
Related pages
Northern Lights Netherlands
Netherlands aurora hub - Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
Read →Northern Lights Rotterdam Tonight
Rotterdam - Zeeland coast, Kp 6-7.
Read →Northern Lights Germany
Germany aurora forecast - Hamburg at 56°N, Kp 5-6.
Read →What Is the Kp Index?
How Kp 6-7 translates to aurora visibility at 54°N.
Read →Northern Lights Viewing Tips
Finding dark sites near cities and what to look for.
Read →Aurora photographs from Amsterdam
Real photos sourced from Wikimedia Commons.
Aurora over Amsterdam 
Aurora over Amsterdam 
Aurora over Amsterdam 
Aurora over Amsterdam 
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