Aurora Tonight
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Northern lights Kiruna tonight

Kiruna sits at ~68°N magnetic latitude inside the auroral oval. Kp 1–2 is sufficient. The transport gateway to Swedish Lapland, Kiruna is the base for the ICEHOTEL at Jukkasjärvi and the Aurora Sky Station at nearby Abisko. Polar night: mid-December to New Year.

Aurora visibility — Kiruna

Possible tonight

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

Current Kp

1

of 9

Threshold for Kiruna: Kp 1–2 Magnetic latitude: ~68°N Updated: 10 May, 11:07 UTC

What Kp is needed here?

Kiruna sits at a magnetic latitude of approximately 68°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 Kiruna 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 Kiruna

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

ICEHOTEL - Jukkasjärvi

The world's first ice hotel, 20 km east of Kiruna on the Torne River. Rebuilt each December from 5,000 tonnes of ice harvested from the frozen river. The tundra surrounding the hotel is dark with open sky and used for aurora watching from the doorstep. The river ice gives the same flat horizon as a lake. The ICEHOTEL 365 permanent structure allows visits year-round.

Luossajaure lake shore

A lake directly on the edge of Kiruna town. The north shore gives open water horizon (frozen December–April) with the city lights behind. The ice surface removes horizon obstructions. Not as dark as the forest roads to the south, but practical for a quick urban aurora check.

Björkliden and Kungsleden trail

The Kungsleden (King's Trail) hiking route passes through pristine wilderness north and west of Kiruna. In winter, the snow-covered plateau gives some of the darkest skies in Sweden. Björkliden ski resort 80 km west sits above the treeline with open fell views. Any forest road north of Kiruna clears the light dome quickly.

Other Sweden aurora forecasts

Sweden overview Abisko Stockholm Tromsø

Related pages

Northern Lights Sweden

Sweden-wide aurora forecast hub.

Northern Lights Abisko Tonight

Abisko - Aurora Sky Station and Sweden's clearest skies, 90 km west.

Northern Lights Tromsø Tonight

Tromsø - Norway's aurora capital, 2 hours west by road.

What Is the Kp Index?

Why Kp 1-2 is enough inside the auroral oval at 68°N.

Tips for Viewing the Northern Lights

How to prepare for an aurora night in Arctic conditions.

Common questions

Aurora watching from Kiruna - ICEHOTEL, Swedish Lapland, and getting there.

Is Kiruna good for seeing the northern lights?
Yes. Kiruna sits at 68°N magnetic latitude inside the auroral oval - the same latitude as Tromsø, Norway. Kp 1-2 is enough on a clear night. As the transport gateway to Swedish Lapland, Kiruna is where most visitors arrive by air before heading to Abisko or Jukkasjärvi for dedicated aurora watching. The ICEHOTEL at Jukkasjärvi 20 km away is the best-known accommodation option in the area.
What Kp is needed for aurora in Kiruna?
Kp 1-2 from the forest roads and the ICEHOTEL at Jukkasjärvi. At 68°N magnetic latitude, Kiruna is inside the auroral oval. Even quiet geomagnetic conditions produce visible arc aurora on clear nights. Kiruna is very slightly less favoured than Abisko - which has the famous micro-climate - but in practical terms both locations see aurora at the same frequency.
What is the ICEHOTEL at Jukkasjärvi?
The ICEHOTEL at Jukkasjärvi, 20 km from Kiruna, is built each winter using ice cut from the Torne River. Artists from around the world create themed ice suites; each is unique and demolished with the spring thaw. Guests sleep on ice beds with reindeer skin and Arctic sleeping bags. The ICEHOTEL 365 permanent building opened in 2017 and maintains frozen suites year-round. Aurora watching from the surrounding tundra at 68°N is built into the experience.
How do I get to Kiruna?
Kiruna Airport (KRN) has direct winter flights from Stockholm (SAS, Norwegian) and some European cities. The overnight Artic Circle train (Nattåget) from Stockholm takes 18-20 hours and arrives at Kiruna central station. From Kiruna, taxis and shuttle buses serve the ICEHOTEL at Jukkasjärvi. Abisko is 90 km west on the Ofoten railway line - about 1.5 hours by train.
What is the best time to visit Kiruna for aurora?
November to March. Polar night in Kiruna runs from approximately 12 December to 1 January - about 20 days. The shoulder periods (November, February-March) give long darkness with slightly warmer temperatures. March is particularly good: still cold enough for the ice structures, long darkness, and the geomagnetic equinox peak. The ICEHOTEL season runs December to April.