Northern Lights forecast
Tonight, Thursday, July 23, 2026
Last night (12h tracked): Kp peaked at 5.0 - the sky never got dark enough at this latitude to see any of it (midnight-sun period).
Not visible tonight - too much daylight
Iceland's sky doesn't get dark enough around midsummer (tonight the sun only dips 5.9° below the horizon) for the aurora to show, no matter the Kp index. Season resumes late August - see the month-by-month darkness guide for exact dates.
Planning a trip rather than heading out tonight? See the month-by-month darkness guide for which weeks give you the best odds.
Kp forecast
“Tonight” is the peak Kp forecast for this evening and overnight (18:00–06:00). Tomorrow/Day 3 are daily maxima.
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An evening digest of tonight's odds, an instant alert when conditions turn good, or both.
Frequently asked
Will I see the northern lights tonight in Iceland?
Not currently - Iceland is far enough north that the sky doesn't get properly dark from around late May to early August (right now the sun only dips 5.9° below the horizon), so the aurora is physically invisible no matter how active it is. Aurora season resumes in late August, once the nights start drawing in again.
What is a good Kp index for aurora in Iceland?
Iceland sits far enough north that even a low Kp index (2–3) can produce visible aurora on a clear, dark night. Kp 4+ is a genuinely active display; Kp 5 and above (a geomagnetic storm, G1 or higher) can put the aurora directly overhead and visible even with some light cloud or moonlight. Cloud cover matters as much as Kp - a clear sky at Kp 2 often beats an overcast sky at Kp 5.
When is aurora season in Iceland?
Roughly late August through mid-April, whenever the sky gets properly dark at night. From around late May to early August, Iceland's high latitude means there's no real astronomical darkness (the "midnight sun" period) - the aurora may be active overhead, but it's not visible against the bright sky.
Where's the best place to see the northern lights in Iceland?
Anywhere away from Reykjavík's light pollution with a clear, dark sky and an open view north. The "where to chase tonight" list on this page ranks Iceland's main regions live by aurora probability and cloud cover for tonight specifically.
Does cloud cover ruin the northern lights?
Yes - the aurora happens above the clouds, so a fully overcast sky blocks it completely. Partial or scattered cloud can still allow a view through gaps. This is why the forecast on this page weighs cloud cover alongside the Kp index, not Kp alone.