Live aurora forecast

Northern lights in Tromsvik tonight

Tromsø municipality, Northern Norway · 66° magnetic latitude · Kp 1 threshold

Aurora visibility · Tromsvik
1/9
Possible tonight

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

QuietStormExtreme
Threshold
Kp 1
Magnetic latitude
~66°N
Bz ↓ south
- nT
Solar wind
- km/s
Density
- p/cm³
Cloud
-
Conditions right now: - Kp + Bz + solar wind + cloud + moon

Updated: 4 Sept, 15:51 UTC

7-day outlook for Tromsvik

Tonight shows the live Kp reading. The nights after it show the Kp expected from any coronal mass ejection DONKI predicts will arrive that day, and a quiet baseline of Kp 2 where no arrival is forecast.

Today
4 Sept
1
Possible
Tomorrow
5 Sept
2
Possible
Sun
6 Sept
2
Possible
Mon
7 Sept
2
Possible
Tue
8 Sept
2
Possible
Wed
9 Sept
2
Possible
Thu
10 Sept
2
Possible

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

auroratonight.space

What Kp is needed here?

Tromsvik sits at a magnetic latitude of approximately 66°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 before the auroral oval expands far enough south to be visible from here.

At Kp 1, visibility is possible from Tromsvik but skies need to be clear and dark. Cloud cover and light pollution remain the main obstacles even when Kp is high enough.

Plan your viewing

Best dark sky sites near Tromsvik

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

Tromsvik coastal headland

Get directions ↗
Bortle Class 2 - Excellent dark sky At Tromsvik - the headland is directly accessible from the coastal road

The north-facing headland at Tromsvik gives an open Arctic Ocean horizon with the Polar Sea ahead and minimal light pollution to the north. The settlement is small and generates negligible sky glow at the headland positions. Bortle Class 2. At Kp 1-2, aurora arcs appear above the northern horizon over dark water. The position is approximately 35 km north of Tromsø city by road, placing it well inside the auroral zone and away from the city light dome. In calm conditions the sea gives aurora reflections. A practical alternative to Tromsø city for those with a hire car who want darker sky without a long detour.

Ullsfjorden western shore

Get directions ↗
Bortle Class 2 - Excellent dark sky 5 km east of Tromsvik - approximately 8 minute drive to the fjord shore

The western shore of Ullsfjorden gives views east across the fjord toward the mountain wall on the opposite bank. At night the fjord surface is dark and the eastern peaks create a silhouette line against the sky. Bortle Class 2. Ullsfjorden runs roughly north-south and the positions on the western shore give both a northern horizon over the sea (at the fjord mouth) and a framed view of the mountains to the east. Aurora activity overhead is visible across the full width of sky above the fjord opening. The sealed coast road gives multiple stop points along the shore.

Elevated viewpoint above Tromsvik

Get directions ↗
Bortle Class 1-2 - Exceptional dark sky 3 km from Tromsvik - approximately 45-60 minute hike to 300-400 m elevation

The hillside behind Tromsvik gives an elevated position above any residual coastal light and extends the visible horizon. At 300-400 m, the viewpoint is above the low-lying coastal haze that can form on cold clear nights. Bortle Class 1-2 from the upper slopes. The horizon extends north over the Arctic Ocean, east toward Ullsfjorden, and south toward Tromsø - on active nights, aurora arcs are visible in multiple directions simultaneously. The hike requires a headtorch and suitable footwear; in winter, micro-spikes are useful on the upper section. Allow time to reach the viewpoint before aurora activity begins.

When to go

Best time to see the northern lights in Tromsvik

At 66°N magnetic latitude, Tromsvik has one of the longest aurora seasons in the world. Meaningful darkness returns in late August and displays are possible on almost any clear night from September through March. Only the endless daylight of May, June, and July rules out viewing completely.

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 Tromsvik's latitude.

May through July is effectively impossible for aurora viewing: the midnight sun keeps the sky bright around the clock at this latitude. No storm level, not even G5, can produce a visible display without astronomical darkness.

Up to 8 locations

Tromsvik

Norway

Possible
Kp 1 need Kp 1
Checking darkness…
Tromsø

Norway

Possible
Kp 1 need Kp 1
Checking darkness…
Sommarøy

Norway

Possible
Kp 1 need Kp 1
Checking darkness…
The odds

How often does the aurora appear in Tromsvik?

Average nights per month the Kp reached Tromsvik's threshold of 1+, from 15 years of geomagnetic data (2010–2024).

28.4Jan
27.5Feb
25.7Mar
0Apr
0May
0Jun
0Jul
0Aug
14.5Sep
29.2Oct
27.7Nov
28.1Dec

Counts the Kp 1+ threshold only - cloud cover and local darkness are not included.
Kp data: GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, CC BY 4.0

Make it happen

Plan your trip to Tromsvik

Based on 15 years of geomagnetic data (2010–2024)

1st
October
29.2
avg aurora nights
Stay 1+ nights for 80% chance
2nd
January
28.4
avg aurora nights
Stay 1+ nights for 80% chance
3rd
December
28.1
avg aurora nights
Stay 1+ nights for 80% chance

Best window

The October to December window averages 85 aurora nights - the strongest consecutive stretch of the year.

How long to stay

For your best chance in October, plan at least 1 night.

Questions

Common questions about aurora in Tromsvik

Why consider Tromsvik rather than staying in Tromsø for aurora?
Tromsø city sits on a small island and is surrounded by significant light pollution. Kp 2-3 is a practical minimum from Tromsø centre before aurora becomes clearly visible. Tromsvik is on the mainland approximately 35 km north of the city - at 66°N magnetic latitude, the same as Tromsø, but with Bortle Class 2 sky and a north-facing Arctic Ocean horizon. The road north from Tromsø is sealed year-round. A 40-minute drive from Tromsø replaces city-level sky glow with open dark sky, giving access to Kp 1-2 aurora that would be marginal from the city.
What Kp is needed for aurora at Tromsvik?
Kp 1–2 from the coastal headland positions. The Kp index measures global geomagnetic activity on a 0-9 scale, updated every 3 hours. At 66°N magnetic latitude, Kp 1 produces a faint arc above the northern horizon on a clear night from a dark position. Kp 2 gives a structured display. Kp 2+ produces movement and colour overhead and toward the south. The open Arctic Ocean horizon to the north means even quiet aurora is visible when it is present.
How do I get to Tromsvik from Tromsø?
Tromsvik is reached by road north from Tromsø - cross the Tromsø island to the mainland and take the road north through Balsfjord municipality. Total distance is approximately 35 km and takes 35-45 minutes depending on conditions. The road is sealed and maintained year-round. A hire car is required - there is no public bus service to Tromsvik at aurora-watching hours. The drive north from Tromsø is straightforward on the E8 and connecting roads.
When is aurora season at Tromsvik?
October to April. At 70°N, Tromsvik experiences polar night (mørketid) from late November to mid-January - around 50 days when the sun does not rise. During polar night, aurora can be observed at any hour given clear skies and geomagnetic activity. From September through October and February through April the window of usable darkness is long - 8-14 hours. March is often the most productive month, combining adequate darkness with statistically higher geomagnetic activity near the spring equinox.
How does Tromsvik compare to Sommarøy for a Tromsø-based aurora trip?
Both are approximately 35-40 km from Tromsø city and give meaningfully darker sky than the city centre. Sommarøy is to the west - an island with open Atlantic and Polar Ocean views, white sand beach foreground, and the outer island of Rebbenesøya for Bortle Class 1-2 conditions. Tromsvik is to the north - mainland coast, Arctic Ocean views, and access to the Ullsfjorden fjord system to the east. The aurora conditions are equivalent at both locations. The choice comes down to which foreground suits: sea and beach at Sommarøy, or open coast and fjord at Tromsvik.
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