Northern Lights Forecast: Best Tracking Apps

Catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights is notoriously down to luck. Many guides have been written on how to stack the odds of seeing this elusive sight in your favour (think location, light pollution, timing), but it was all still largely guesswork – until now. We’ve picked out the best apps to bring the ancient art of gazing up at the sky into the modern era.

As someone who has scoured the skies on several trips to Iceland in the past, and sadly turned up with an empty camera roll, simply being in the right place at the right time is no guarantee of seeing the Aurora Borealis. As odd as it sounds, even the most vibrant visual display a few miles in any direction can be missed if you don’t get everything right. Recent solar activity has seen an increased chance of seeing the Northern Lights in even more countries, so here’s a look at the best apps to help you wow your friends.

The Northern Lights are also known by their scientific name, ‘Aurora Borealis’

My Aurora Forecast & Alerts

Arguably the most popular app available at the moment, this free download is on Android and iOS. This is a great option if you’re just dipping your toe into hunting the lights or are a seasoned pro. Like the majority of apps and websites, predictions are based on Kp index readings – which measure global geomagnetic conditions as well as overhead cloud formations. As has happened to me, if its not particularly clear on an evening when there is a high Kp rating, you will have to search for a break in the clouds. That’s where apps like this one come into their own.

Aurora Alerts – Northern Light

This easy to use app has more than 10ok downloads and a recent update has kept it perfectly suited for global stargazers – although reports vary about how stable the current incarnation is. When it is functioning, you can set alerts to notify you if there is a display you need to get up for. This is particularly useful for places like London where you aren’t really expecting Northern Lights but as we’ve seen in 2024, you can still get unbelievable occurrences above.

The Northern Lights are typically pink, green, yellow, blue and violet

My Aurora Forecast Pro

With a great map interface, this highly rated app delivers a clean UI that makes it a smart choice to download before heading off on any self-guided Northern Lights expeditions. We’ll take a look at some of the best tours and bookable experiences later, but if you want to do it for yourself having something like this in your pocket is a must!

Aurora Now – Northern Lights

A relatively new player on the app scene, this digital companion delivers a localised prediction with real-time forecasts. Interactive graphs will help pinpoint the best times to start looking skywards with medium-term outlooks giving a fair chance to prepare in advance. This one is an iOS only product at the moment, but you can find similar versions for your non-Apple products.

The Northern Lights are the result of disturbances in the magnetosphere

Facebook and X

You can’t beat those trending topics on social media platforms, as long as its not political, and when London’s skies lit up in early 2024 it was X (formerly known as Twitter) which notified millions of Brits as to what was actually happening. You can have all the apps you want, but when your friends and neighbours are posting pictures from down the road in real-time, you know you have a 100% chance of seeing something if you’re quick enough.

The Best Tours and Trips to see the Northern Lights

Northern Lights Tour In Iceland from Reykjavik with PRO photos

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After being picked up in the Reykjavik Capital Area, we will head out of the city away from any light pollution to the best location , chosen on the day, for visibility of the evening. We sometimes need to wait for the Northern lights to appear, and even change location over the evening. The guide is always in contact with our office and other locals for details on where the visibility is best each evening in case they need to change location. We always try to go where the crowds are not, but can not always guarantee that others looking for the Northern lights will not show up at the same spot.

Enchanted Northern Lights: Hot chocolate & Photos

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Watching the Northern Lights is top of the bucket list for many visitors to Iceland and this evening tour from Reykjavík maximizes your chances of catching nature’s dazzling light show. Venture out into the countryside after dark, stop at remote viewpoints according to the Aurora forecast, and tuck into Icelandic pastries and hot chocolate as you wait for the Lights to make an appearance.

Northern Lights Rovaniemi

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Unlike conventional tours that limit their guests to a single location, we take you on an exhilarating chase to follow the northern lights wherever they may appear. Our commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences is deeply rooted in our history, as one of the owners proudly represents the 20th generation of their family in Lapland, Finland, with roots stretching back to the 1600s. Our expert guides employ their extensive experience and up-to-the-minute technology to track and locate the celestial show, maximizing your chances of witnessing this awe-inspiring phenomenon. At our tour, we prioritize the true purpose of your visit – to behold the northern lights in all their splendor. We don’t distract you with barbecued sausages or unnecessary detours; our sole mission is to provide you with an unforgettable experience of the aurora, ensuring every moment counts.

Small Group Northern Lights Chase from Tromso

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Chase the aurora borealis, aka, the northern lights, through Norway’s Arctic skies on this small-group adventure from Tromso. Head outside of the city, past stunning mountains and fjords to find the lights―sometimes traveling all the way to the Swedish and Finnish borders alongside guides ranging from professional tour guides to local aurora hunters. While sightings are never guaranteed exquisite natural scenery is always part of the excursion―as are complimentary snacks and beverages. Get hunting!

Northern Lights Adventure with Greenlander

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Embark on an adventurous Northern Lights chase in Northern Norway aboard a modified Mercedes Benz Vito. With a professional photographer as a guide and a small group, you’ll get plenty of attention and tips on how to capture the best possible photos of the Aurora Borealis. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tromoso are included for convenience, as well as all thermal gear to keep warm and a portion of homemade soup.