Northern lights tonight
Live Kp index from NOAA, cloud cover for all eight regions, moon phase and the darkness window — updated hourly.
Iceland is one of the best places on Earth to see the northern lights. It sits directly under the auroral oval, so the aurora appears at a Kp index as low as 2 on any dark, clear night. The season runs September to April — October, February and March are the sweet spot of long dark nights and settled weather.
This forecast is live. The Kp index comes from NOAA’s space-weather service every three hours, cloud cover for all eight regions from Open-Meteo hourly, and the moon phase from the clock — so the visibility score for tonight reflects real conditions, not a guess. Iceland’s weather is hyper-local: if your region shows cloud, the next one an hour’s drive away may be clear.
Tonight by region
Reykjavík Area
LoadingCapital city + Grótta — most light pollution
Kp—
Clouds—
Temp—Reykjanes Peninsula
LoadingNear KEF airport & Blue Lagoon — easy access
Kp—Clouds—Temp—South Coast
LoadingVík, waterfalls, black beaches — popular route
Kp—Clouds—Temp—West Iceland
LoadingSnæfellsnes — dramatic, less crowded
Kp—Clouds—Temp—Westfjords
LoadingRemote & untouched — very dark skies
Kp—Clouds—Temp—North Iceland
LoadingAkureyri & Mývatn — northern capital
Kp—Clouds—Temp—Eastfjords
LoadingFjords & fishing villages — quiet, scenic
Kp—Clouds—Temp—Highlands
LoadingWilderness — limited winter access
Kp—Clouds—Temp—How to chase
Chase the clear sky
Iceland's weather is local. If your region shows clouds, drive 30–60 minutes to the next one — the forecast above updates per region for exactly this reason.
Escape light pollution
Reykjavík & Keflavík skies wash out weaker displays. Drive 15–20 km away from town lights for dramatically better visibility.
Patience pays
Aurora arrives in waves. Wait at least 45 minutes. The strongest displays often come in short bursts — get out of the car and keep looking up.
Dress for –10°C
Even when it's 0°C at dusk, wind chill at 1am on a headland is brutal. Wool base layer, insulated jacket, hat, gloves, thermal pants. Non-negotiable.
Cars & campers
KEF airport pickup 24/74.8
Dacia Duster 4x4
Cheapest real 4WD in the fleet — gravel, the Westfjords and easy summer F-roads without truck prices.
TransmissionManual
FuelPetrol/diesel
Seats5
Drive4WD
VW Caravelle
Whole family or friend group in one car — gear in the back, room to stretch.
TransmissionAutomaticFuelDieselSeats9Drive2WD
Key Camper Wild Duo
Sleep right by the trailhead, wake up at the falls — F-road ready from mid-June.
TransmissionManualFuelPetrol
Sleeps2Drive4WDTours near the northern lights
Small groups
Duration
Pickup
Activity
Vehicle