Aurora Tonight
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Northern lights Alta tonight

Alta sits at ~70°N magnetic latitude in Finnmark - the same band as Tromsø. Kp 1–2 is enough for a display. Polar night runs from late November to mid-January, giving round-the-clock darkness. Best season: October to March.

Aurora visibility — Alta

Possible tonight

Kp 1 is at the threshold for Alta. Aurora may be visible from a dark site if cloud cover permits.

Current Kp

1

of 9

Threshold for Alta: Kp 1–2 Magnetic latitude: ~70°N Updated: 10 May, 11:05 UTC

What Kp is needed here?

Alta sits at a magnetic latitude of approximately 70°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 1–2 before the auroral oval expands far enough south to be visible from here.

At Kp 1–2, visibility is possible from Alta 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 Alta

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

Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel - Alta Fjord

The igloo hotel on the Alta Fjord gives a classic Arctic setting with guided aurora excursions. The fjord faces north-east. In calm conditions the aurora reflects on the ice surface below the frozen river.

Kåfjord valley and Kautokeino road

Heading south from Alta on the E45 toward Kautokeino, the tundra opens up within 20 minutes. The Sami heartland of Finnmark's interior gives some of the flattest, darkest aurora horizons in Norway.

Raipas mountain plateau

The plateau above Alta at around 400 m gives an elevated position above fjord cloud. A snowmobile trip or guided winter drive to the plateau is a standard excursion from Alta during overcast conditions at lower altitude.

Other Norway aurora forecasts

Norway overview Tromsø Svalbard Lofoten

Related pages

Northern Lights Norway

Norway-wide aurora forecast hub.

Northern Lights Tromsø Tonight

Tromsø - 2 hours west at the same magnetic latitude.

Northern Lights Svalbard Tonight

Svalbard at 78°N - the most extreme option.

Tips for Viewing the Northern Lights

Practical advice for aurora watching in Arctic conditions.

What Is the Kp Index?

Why Kp 1-2 is enough at 70°N magnetic latitude.

Common questions

Northern lights watching from Alta and Finnmark.

Is Alta better than Tromsø for northern lights?
Alta is at the same magnetic latitude as Tromsø (~70°N) and has the same Kp 1-2 threshold. It tends to have slightly more stable weather, particularly inland toward Kautokeino. Tromsø has more services, more flights, and a larger guide industry. For first-time visitors, Tromsø is more practical; for repeat visitors or those seeking quieter conditions, Alta offers a strong alternative.
What is Alta famous for besides aurora?
Alta is home to the Alta Canyon (Finnmarksvidda) - one of the deepest canyons in Scandinavia - and UNESCO World Heritage-listed Stone Age rock carvings. The Northern Lights Cathedral is a striking modern landmark. In winter, dog-sledding, snowmobile tours, and reindeer experiences are popular alongside aurora watching.
When is polar night in Alta?
Alta is in polar night from approximately 25 November to 18 January - roughly 54 days of no direct sunlight. During this period it is dark around the clock from early afternoon to late morning, the aurora window runs around the clock. Outside polar night, the season extends from late September to mid-April with increasingly long dark hours.
What is the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel?
Sorrisniva is an annual-rebuild igloo hotel on the frozen Alta river, one of the oldest igloo hotels in Scandinavia. Rooms are carved from ice and snow each December. It operates guided aurora tours from the hotel and has a warm main lodge for meals and common areas. The ice river setting is a unique foreground for aurora photography.
How do I get to Alta?
Alta Airport (ALF) has direct flights from Oslo and Tromsø year-round. Norwegian Air and SAS operate the route. Alta is about 2 hours by car east of Tromsø on the E8. In winter, the road can be closed by weather - always check road conditions at vegvesen.no before driving. The Alta area is also a hub for Finnmark plateau snowmobile expeditions.