is the aurora visible?

Rovaniemi tonight: Yes — very likely. Get outside.

Conditions are on your side

10.0/10

Tonight, hour by hour (local time)

  1. 18:00Kp 6
  2. 21:00Kp 6
  3. 00:00Kp 6
  4. 03:00Kp 6
  • 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: 100%
    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. Tonight10.0 
  2. Sun 11 Oct9.2 
  3. Mon 12 Oct7.0 
  4. Tue 13 Oct8.3rough estimate
  5. Wed 14 Oct0.0rough estimate
  6. Thu 15 Oct2.5rough estimate
  7. Fri 16 Oct4.6rough 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 Rovaniemi.

Conditions right now

2°CAir temperature
11 km/hWind
35%Cloud cover now

Santa’s hometown under the lights

Rovaniemi sits right on the Arctic Circle, a little south of the auroral oval’s usual band — displays need moderate activity (Kp 2-3), but Lapland’s continental climate brings clearer, calmer winter nights than the Norwegian coast.

Where to watch from

Check the sky yourself

Live cameras near Rovaniemi:

Common questions

Is Rovaniemi too far south for the aurora?

No — it averages visible aurora roughly every other clear night in season, though you need somewhat higher activity (Kp 2-3) than in Tromsø or Abisko.

When should I visit?

September to March. Deep winter offers long nights and snowy foregrounds; September offers aurora reflected in unfrozen lakes.

Can I combine it with Santa Claus Village?

Yes — the village is 8 km north of town and its surroundings get dark enough for aurora on active nights.