is the aurora visible?

Fairbanks tonight: Maybe — worth checking

Clouds are the problem

5.8/10

Tonight, hour by hour (local time)

  1. 19:00Kp 5
  2. 22:00Kp 4
  3. 01:00Kp 4
  4. 04:00Kp 4
  • Dark skyDark sky: 100%
    How dark the sky gets at the best moment tonight — the sun must sit well below the horizon. Midnight sun drags this to zero, polar night keeps it at 100%.
  • Solar activitySolar activity: 100%
    Forecast geomagnetic activity (Kp) measured against what this location needs for overhead aurora. Full bar means the oval should reach you.
  • Clear skyClear sky: 58% — tonight’s weak spot
    How much sky the clouds leave open. Low cloud blocks the view completely; thin, high cirrus only softens it.
  • MoonlightMoonlight: 100%
    A bright moon above the horizon washes out faint detail. It dims a display, but never hides a strong one.

Forecast assembled 16:57 UTC. Refreshes every 30 minutes.

The next seven nights

  1. Tonight5.8 
  2. Sun 11 Oct1.0 
  3. Mon 12 Oct3.4rough estimate
  4. Tue 13 Oct1.0rough estimate
  5. Wed 14 Oct5.8rough estimate
  6. Thu 15 Oct0.0rough estimate

The first three nights use NOAA's detailed Kp forecast. Beyond that, scores lean on the rougher 27-day outlook — treat them as a tendency, not a promise. Planning further ahead? See the best time of year for Fairbanks.

Conditions right now

1°CAir temperature
7 km/hWind
100%Cloud cover now

North America’s aurora basecamp

Fairbanks sits under the auroral oval in Alaska’s dry interior — far from coastal cloud, with long, cold, clear winter nights. The University of Alaska has studied the aurora here for over a century.

Where to watch from

Check the sky yourself

Live cameras near Fairbanks:

Common questions

Why Fairbanks over Anchorage?

Fairbanks is 6° of latitude closer to the oval and sits in the dry interior — more aurora and far less cloud than coastal southern Alaska.

How cold does aurora season get?

January nights average around -25 °C and can hit -40. Tours with heated cabins exist for a reason; dress accordingly.

When is the best time?

Late August through mid-April. March is the local favourite — longer, milder nights, statistically clearer skies and the equinox activity bump.