If you were hoping to catch a Northern Lights show during the next few days you might be in luck: The Aurora forecast from the Icelandic Meteorological Office is looking very promising.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office has issued its most promising aurora forecast in several weeks. The forecast for tonight, Thursday, as well as tomorrow and Saturday (February 8-10) is looking very good. The aurora activity will be a 3, moderate each of the three nights, and the sky over most of Iceland should be clear, giving us the perfect opportunity to enjoy the aurora once the show starts.
This is great news, because for several weeks now the Northern Lights activity has either been a low 0, 1 or 2 or the cloud cover has made it impossible to see the Aurora.
Look to the sky on Wednesday and Thursday!
The IMO explains that the 0-9 Kp number system can be used to predict the intensity and beauty of the Aurora over Iceland: An activity of 2, low can produce beautiful Northern Lights in Iceland, while an activity of 3 moderate can be dazzling.
The beauty and strength of the lights can vary significantly, but a level 3 activity can produce spectacular shows, although we usually need a level 4 or higher for the Aurora explosions which leave you speechless. It's those truly spectacular displays which have failed to materialize since early November.
Clear skies over most of South West and South Iceland tonight, Thursday as well as on Friday and Saturday should then allow us to actually see and enjoy nature's most amazing show. According to the forecast it is only NE Iceland which should see any real cloud cover, although it looks like it could be partially cloudy in some parts of the SW tomorrow, Friday.
Read more: Learn all about the Aurora on this new interactive website
According to IMO the sun sets at 19:07 (7:07 pm) tonight, and it will be dark from 19:55 until 07:20 (7:55 pm-7:20 am). The best time to see the Aurora is usually in the evening or around midnight.
Of course we can never be certain when it comes to the Northern Lights, and that it's impossible to predict them with any certainty. The key to catching the Northern Lights is always patience and luck. We can never count on the weather forecast in Iceland, and you should always check back with the IMO to see the updated forecast.
Where to go?
If the skies are clear and the Aurora is active you can see the Northern Lights pretty much anywhere in Iceland, even in downtown Reykjavík. The best Aurora spots inside the city tend to be along the coast, where you have a broad horizon without streetlights or other sources of bright light. Taking a stroll along the north shore scenic and sculpture walk is a great way to enjoy the Aurora in downtown Reykjavík.
However, the light pollution means that the Northern Lights will be more vibrant outside the city. But you don't need to go up into the mountains to escape the light pollution. There are plenty of spots in the city or on its outskirts which offer great spots for Northern Lights viewing.
One of these is the picturesque Grótta island on the western tip of the Reykjavík peninsula. However, be advised that this is also probably the most popular spot in Reykjavík, both among locals and foreign visitors. If you don't have a car or a booked Northern Lights tour the north shore scenic and sculpture walk is a great alternative.
Or you might want to check out one of these other great spots a local Aurora photographer and friend of Iceland Insider Snorri Þór Tryggvason has identified – note that Snorri leaves Grótta out of the map!
If you were hoping to catch a Northern Lights show during the next few days you might be in luck: The Aurora forecast from the Icelandic Meteorological Office is looking very promising.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office has issued its most promising aurora forecast in several weeks. The forecast for tonight, Thursday, as well as tomorrow and Saturday (February 8-10) is looking very good. The aurora activity will be a 3, moderate each of the three nights, and the sky over most of Iceland should be clear, giving us the perfect opportunity to enjoy the aurora once the show starts.
This is great news, because for several weeks now the Northern Lights activity has either been a low 0, 1 or 2 or the cloud cover has made it impossible to see the Aurora.
Look to the sky on Wednesday and Thursday!
The IMO explains that the 0-9 Kp number system can be used to predict the intensity and beauty of the Aurora over Iceland: An activity of 2, low can produce beautiful Northern Lights in Iceland, while an activity of 3 moderate can be dazzling.
The beauty and strength of the lights can vary significantly, but a level 3 activity can produce spectacular shows, although we usually need a level 4 or higher for the Aurora explosions which leave you speechless. It's those truly spectacular displays which have failed to materialize since early November.
Clear skies over most of South West and South Iceland tonight, Thursday as well as on Friday and Saturday should then allow us to actually see and enjoy nature's most amazing show. According to the forecast it is only NE Iceland which should see any real cloud cover, although it looks like it could be partially cloudy in some parts of the SW tomorrow, Friday.
Read more: Learn all about the Aurora on this new interactive website
According to IMO the sun sets at 19:07 (7:07 pm) tonight, and it will be dark from 19:55 until 07:20 (7:55 pm-7:20 am). The best time to see the Aurora is usually in the evening or around midnight.
Of course we can never be certain when it comes to the Northern Lights, and that it's impossible to predict them with any certainty. The key to catching the Northern Lights is always patience and luck. We can never count on the weather forecast in Iceland, and you should always check back with the IMO to see the updated forecast.
Where to go?
If the skies are clear and the Aurora is active you can see the Northern Lights pretty much anywhere in Iceland, even in downtown Reykjavík. The best Aurora spots inside the city tend to be along the coast, where you have a broad horizon without streetlights or other sources of bright light. Taking a stroll along the north shore scenic and sculpture walk is a great way to enjoy the Aurora in downtown Reykjavík.
However, the light pollution means that the Northern Lights will be more vibrant outside the city. But you don't need to go up into the mountains to escape the light pollution. There are plenty of spots in the city or on its outskirts which offer great spots for Northern Lights viewing.
One of these is the picturesque Grótta island on the western tip of the Reykjavík peninsula. However, be advised that this is also probably the most popular spot in Reykjavík, both among locals and foreign visitors. If you don't have a car or a booked Northern Lights tour the north shore scenic and sculpture walk is a great alternative.
Or you might want to check out one of these other great spots a local Aurora photographer and friend of Iceland Insider Snorri Þór Tryggvason has identified – note that Snorri leaves Grótta out of the map!
