As the days get longer with summer rapidly approaching Aurora hunters must make use of every opportunity to catch one of nature's greatest shows: Each night of the Northern Lights could be the last before summer!
Which is why we are super excited about tonight's Aurora forecast from the Icelandic Meteorological Office.
The forecast for tonight, Tuesday April 10, is looking very good. The aurora activity will be a 5, high, and the sky over West and North Iceland should be mostly or partially clear, giving us the perfect opportunity to enjoy the aurora once the show starts.
Look to the sky on Wednesday and Thursday!
The forecast for the next two days, Wednesday and Thursday April 11 and 12, is also pretty good. The activity will be a 5 tomorrow, and a 4 on Thursday. Unfortunately the cloud cover forecast for tomorrow suggests you will only be able to see the Aurora over North Iceland. Thursday is also looking rather disappointing in the West and South, with mostly cloudy skies. North and East Iceland, however, should enjoy clear skies.
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.
Read more: Learn all about the Aurora on this new interactive website
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!
As the days get longer with summer rapidly approaching Aurora hunters must make use of every opportunity to catch one of nature's greatest shows: Each night of the Northern Lights could be the last before summer!
Which is why we are super excited about tonight's Aurora forecast from the Icelandic Meteorological Office.
The forecast for tonight, Tuesday April 10, is looking very good. The aurora activity will be a 5, high, and the sky over West and North Iceland should be mostly or partially clear, giving us the perfect opportunity to enjoy the aurora once the show starts.
Look to the sky on Wednesday and Thursday!
The forecast for the next two days, Wednesday and Thursday April 11 and 12, is also pretty good. The activity will be a 5 tomorrow, and a 4 on Thursday. Unfortunately the cloud cover forecast for tomorrow suggests you will only be able to see the Aurora over North Iceland. Thursday is also looking rather disappointing in the West and South, with mostly cloudy skies. North and East Iceland, however, should enjoy clear skies.
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.
Read more: Learn all about the Aurora on this new interactive website
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!
