Kp values aurora. The geomagnetic three-hourly Kp index was introduced by J.

Kp values aurora. The above Kp plot displays raw NOAA data of the Index for the past six hours. May 15, 2023 · Note: Kp index above 3 or 4 is a good chance to view the aurora and Kp values greater than 5 is considered a storm and chances are high for watching the aurora, provided the skies are clear with less pollution from nearby city lights. These values fluctuate over time as the solar wind is not constant. The Estimated 3-hour Planetary Kp-index. In this article we briefly explain some of the ideas behind the association of the aurora with geomagnetic activity and a bit about how the K-index works. It goes from 0 to 9 (0 being very weak, 9 being a major geomagnetic storm with strong auroras visible). In this paper the hourly range of the magnetic field (HR) is examined as an alternative to the 3-hr Kp index for describing the dynamic and localized May 14, 2024 · Step 2: Understand the KP Index The KP index is a scale from 0 to 9 that measures geomagnetic activity. Note that the prediction time depends data availability. The geomagnetic indices ap, Ap, Cp and C9 and the classification of Top 50 geomagnetic storms On this page you will find an overview of the strongest geomagnetic storms since January 1957 together with links to more information in our archive. The current Kp level is indicated on this graph. 7. I was in Tromso last week to see the lights. A Guide on how to interpret Aurora Forecasts Most aurora forecasts are based on the so called Kp-index. Support SpaceWeatherLive. It is measured every 3 hours and takes on values between 0 and 9, with 9 being the highest level of disturbance. Apr 8, 2023 · The Kp index is a parameter that ranges from 0 to 9 and indicates the level of geomagnetic activity, which directly correlates with aurora activity. To choose or change doctors at any time, for any reason, browse our online profiles here by region. The Kp-index ranges from 0 to 9 where a value of 0 means that there is very little geomagnetic activity and a value of 9 means extreme geomagnetic storming. Mar 8, 2022 · It sometimes refers to the past. Oct 27, 2025 · The colored bars on the charts represent highest forecasted Kp- and Ak-values for each day. Let's see how to find this level for your specific location. In 2016, NOAA SWPC shared the operational OVATION code (written in IDL) with the UK Met Office in the UK. The bottom half of the graph shows a short-term KP value prediction as well as the DST value. 03. It is therefore not very useful for aurora chasers in the field. 33. May 10, 2024 · Viewing archive of Friday, 10 May 2024 GFZ Potsdam official Kp-index The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Kp. The same Kp values apply to both hemispheres, but the visibility depends on local conditions like light pollution and weather. Aurora forecasts and Kp alerts are distributed based on activity that happens in three-hour increments of Universal Coordinated Time. Apr 15, 2025 · There is a chance the northern lights will be visible in western Washington Wednesday night due to a strong geomagnetic storm. Mar 12, 2023 · The level of geomagnetic activity (Kp) you need to see the northern or southern lights depends on your geomagnetic coordinates. The Kp-index is a smoothed representation of the 24-hour period and may not reflect the specific conditions at any given moment. The aurora and solar activity archive Searching for historical solar and auroral activity data? The archive is filled with data between the year 1996 and yesterday. At night, when you observe the northern lights or aurora borealis, the Kp value may very. There isn’t a significant difference between the northern and southern hemispheres regarding the Kp index required to see auroras. 6 days ago · HF Radio: Weak or minor degradation of HF radio communication on sunlit side, occasional loss of radio contact. eu/terra/aurora/kp_archive. The values range from 0 - 9. Feb 9, 2023 · When you read northern lights tips, the top recommendation is almost always to check the KP Index for geomagnetic disruption (aka potential aurora activity). The numbers shown are 3 hourly periods of time. See “Infusing Native Language in the Science Curriculum” to incorporate Native language into this lesson. The original model, based solely on DMSP data, was only reliable to Kp of 7. If you like SpaceWeatherLive and want to support the project you can choose a subscription for an ad-free site or consider a donation. Attached to the last Kp bar is the latest predicted value. The predicted Kp value is estimated by NOAA-SWPC using satellites that are located upstream in the solar wind (Sigernes et al. It is designed to measure solar particle radiation by its magnetic effects and today it is considered a proxy for the energy input from the solar wind to Earth. Data ranges from 0 to 9. During major geomagnetic storms (KP 5-7), northern lights can be seen by northern United States, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine. Geomagnetic activity is driven by solar activity and solar coronal holes and thus it waxes and wanes with time. In this article we briefly explain some of the ideas behind the The Kp-index is used to characterise and describe the magnitude of geomagnetic disturbance caused by solar wind interacting with Earth’s magnetic field on a scale from 0-9. The measurements are converted into a planetary index, Kp, which is a weighted average of these values. The official planetary Kp-index is derived by calculating a 2 days ago · Northen lights (aurora) forecasts for your locationGeomagnetic activity is represented with the Kp index, which ranges from 0 to 9. A high Kp-index means the aurora may be visible further south. Oct 10, 2024 · Geomagnetic Activity: Auroral displays depend on the level of geomagnetic activity, measured by the Kp index. Be aware that we use the official, finalized Kp which comes from the GFZ in Potsdam, Germany. Real-time data gives you the edge for catching active displays as they develop. Check the Northern Lights forecast for today! The curves represent four values of the planetary index (Kp). Space Weather Forecast Products Aurora activity Forecast Data-assimilative Radiation Belt Forecast Forecast Kp Index Forecast Hp30-Hp60 Indices Forecast of the Plasma Density Electron Ring Current Forecast Are you considering a winter trip to Norway and wondering how to increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights? This guide will answer all your questions, not only about the best aurora alert apps in Norway but also about how to use these apps effectively and interpret the data they present, including values like the Kp index, Bz, or solar wind speed. The value of the Kp index varies from 0 to 9 with 0 being very quiet and 5 or more indicating geomagnetic storm conditions. Below you'll find the expected global geomagnetic conditions (Kp) and those for the middle and high latitudes (K-indices). If skies are clear, moderate displays may be visible overhead from locations such as Utqiaġvik to as far south as Talkeetna, and may be visible low on the horizon as far south as Bethel, Soldotna and Southeast Alaska. As we learned earlier, this isn’t useful for New England, so it’s best to use the latitude-agnostic predictions of the SWPC. The Kp value is determined by 5 days ago · HF Radio: Weak or minor degradation of HF radio communication on sunlit side, occasional loss of radio contact. You will find the terms in the table to the right in the aurora forecast on Yr. The models only use the planetary Kp index and time as input, which makes them ideal candidates for forecasting aurora. A brief description of why conditions occurred or are forecast is also included for each category. Aug 11, 2024 · On this scale, a value of 1 signifies calm geomagnetic conditions, whereas a value of 5 or above hints at the onset of a possible geomagnetic storm. If you only base your aurora-watching on this number, it probably needs a bit more Over many years, values of Ap* provide a maximum disturbance measure useful to identify major geomagnetic storms chronologically (by date and start time) and by amplitude from largest to the smallest. For the benefit of those users who need to relate to the Kp index, we provide the following equivalences, which apply to all three of the zones used in our forecasts. The geomagnetic three-hourly Kp index was introduced by J. Overview: Students read magnetometer Kp index graphs and compare a current Kp index calculation to a current prediction of aurora. Interpreting the K-index based on values from Kiruna The K-index is just like the Kp-index, a geomagnetic storm index with a logarithmic scale from 1 to 9. Navigation: Low-frequency navigation signals degraded for brief intervals. The planetary Kp-index is a globally averaged indicator of the worldwide level of geomagnetic activity. SWL gives an explanation of what the graphics show on their aurora page. on Monday, Oct. Even at low Kp values (0-3), auroras are typically visible at high latitudes, in places near the poles like Fairbanks Alaska. For this storm, the Kp index could reach values between 7. The curves represent four values of the planetary index (Kp). 1016/j. The map updates based on real-time solar wind data. However, auroras can be seen also when the forecasted value is weak, because both values are planetary, which basically means that those are averaged values for the whole planet. This is the fastest way to quickly find out what kind of geomagne Nov 12, 2017 · The Kp-index is calculated by combining the data from multiple magnetic observatories around the world to determine the global planetary index. For accurate Alaska aurora forecasting, experienced aurora chasers monitor these metrics in order of importance: We know how important it is to find a doctor who's right for you. The oval shifts and grows during strong solar activity. We made a handy list which is a good guide for what Kp-value you need Relationship between Kp and the Aurora [] Right: From thousands of observations, Cornell University scientists have determined geographic subpoints for the southern edges of auroral displays. Hourly Aurora Forecast Kp Index - Last 3 Hours Kp Index Forecast - Next Few Hours (Projected) Ovation-Prime Model 3 Day Aurora Forecast NOAA Geomagnetic Activity Probabilities Nov 02 Nov 03 Nov 04 Active 35% 30% 25% Minor storm 25% 15% 10% Moderate storm 10% 01% 01% Strong-Extreme storm 01% 01% 01% Future Kp Index Forecast by hour (UTC) The Kp index is determined by evaluating the 3-hourly magnetic activity at specific magnetic observatories. The Kp index is particularly important for predicting the likelihood and intensity of auroras (Northern Lights and Southern Lights). The earliest possible values are for 1932, because that is the first year for which the standard Kp and ap indices were produced. Auroral absorption is typically characterized by global geomagnetic activity indices, such as the Kp index. The map above shows you what the Kp-index needs to be to see the aurora overhead at a given location. A low Kp index (0-2) signifies minimal auroral activity, while higher values (3-9) indicate more intense auroras visible further south. Geomagnetic activity is the origin of the Aurora Borealis in our night skies, and the Kp-Index is a merger of all the physics happening above our heads into one measurement scale that is also used for forecasting geomagnetic The global Kp-index is then determined with an algorithm that puts the reported K-values of every station together. Apr 13, 2023 · What does the Kp4 index mean? And what about Kp5? Can you see the northern lights at Kp2 or even Kp0? And what exactly should you expect from each Kp level? Kp goes back to 1932 and is an important parameter to investigate long-term climate change in the upper atmosphere, in geospace, in the solar wind and on the sun. 4 days ago · The planetary 3-hour-range index Kp is the mean standardized K-index from 13 geomagnetic observatories between 44 degrees and 60 degrees northern or southern geomagnetic latitude. C. Check the KP value listed on Space Weather Live and use this map to see where the aurora will be visible based on the KP index. See the current Kp-index on the Live Data page. Kp levels are not aurora sightings or proof of aurora. Mar 9, 2025 · Viewing archive of Sunday, 9 March 2025 GFZ Potsdam official Kp-index The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Kp. At this level, the aurora might be visible as far south as Alabama and Northern California. Overview of the Kp Index The Kp index is a scale used to measure how active the Earth’s magnetic field is over a short period of time. Jul 6, 2016 · I use My Aurora Forecast (MAF) and Aurora Forecast (AF) for iPhone. According to NOAA, when Kp values range from 5 to 6 the aurora will move further from the poles and be visible in the northern edge of the United States This product is designed to be a one page, simple look at recently observed and a three day forecast of space weather conditions. My tip: Kp especially means how far south the aurora will be seen. With the help of the Kp index, you'll be able to plan and better enjoy your Aurora Borealis viewing experience. You can use it as a guide to estimate how active the aurora is and at what latitude aurora might be visible. Feb 18, 2023 · Kp is an index to represent Geomagnetic activity. Track KP-index and find best northern lights viewing locations tonight. Jan 9, 2024 · Learn how to predict northern lights with the KP Index and free apps in a simple way. Here is a rough breakdown of what to expect with each (Note: anything above Kp 2 is likely to be visible in Iceland…just saying): Kp 0-2: Low activity, with faint auroras visible only in regions close to the poles. The Kp-index is a planetary index combining the magnetometers values from multiple locations around the world where the K-index only comes from one single magnetometer station. It helps scientists and aurora watchers understand whether the Northern (or Southern) Lights are likely to be visible and how strong they might be. Location Matters Real-time Aurora Borealis forecast and viewing conditions. It is derived from the maximum fluctuations of horizontal components observed on a magnetometer during a three-hour interval. Users requiring a more detailed explanation of events should refer to the Forecast Discussion. Aurora borealis forecast map with cloud coverage data. These parameters are the first parameters used to predict auroral activity. The Kp-value that you need of course depends on where you are located on Earth. Check current geomagnetic activity, Kp index, and aurora visibility for your location. Higher Kp values are a good indication of increased auroral activity 5 days ago · Live aurora data including Kp index, auroral oval, and geomagnetic activity forecasts for Northern and Southern Hemispheres. That means when you check the Kp, you could very well be seeing the average Aurora strength from three hours in the past. The higher the bar is, the higher the forecasted value and thus also the chance for aurora to occur. (2004) in their paper “Analogue model, relating Kp index to solar wind parameters” (DOI: 10. It is often used as an analog for the odds of seeing the northern lights as a higher KP Index is said to be greater aurora chances and/or intensity. Q: How often does the KP Index update? A: The KP Index is updated every three hours as part of real-time monitoring of geomagnetic activity. The latest solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field data covering the past two hours as measured by the ACE spacecraft. Dec 28, 2020 · The Kp index: any good for aurora chasing? Are you are acquainted with the aurora? Or do you want to plan a future aurora vacation? Aurora predictions are issued by NOAA with Kp values for 27 days ahead and a more detailed and accurate 3-day forecast with Kp values for every 3 hours. Sep 16, 2024 · The Kp value is forecast to be a 6. , were able to expand the model to include the larger storm values of Kp of 8 and 9. Thus, Kp is one of the most important indicators to watch for successful aurora photography. Oct 22, 2020 · Increased ionization in the auroral oval leads to the absorption of high-frequency radio waves in the auroral zone, or auroral absorption. For example, a KP value of 5 or higher means there's a good chance of seeing the aurora further Jun 11, 2024 · Unlock the mystery of the Kp Index Scale with our easy Aurora guide! Learn how it impacts the visibility of the Northern Lights. May 29, 2025 · Viewing archive of Thursday, 29 May 2025 GFZ Potsdam official Kp-index The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Kp. Kp 0 does NOT mean no aurora. . The Dst index is provided by the World Data Oct 10, 2024 · Possible aurora in Banner Elk, N. Kp forecast The top panel shows predicted Kp in blue (RWC-S) and observed Kp in red (GFZ) over the last three days. This Kp-index works slightly different then the preliminary Kp-index. The video below shows what active aurora looks like in real time The Kp ~1 hour forecast and last 24 hour overview is calculated based on the method developed by Andonov et al. (Todd Bush) With the G4 watch in place, the storm presumably registers an 8 or 9 on the Kp index, which measures the level of geomagnetic activity. 67 and 8. Kp-index and Kpa-index archive (1868 to present) Kp and Kpa — planetary 3-hourly indices of geomagnetic activity Data from GFZ Potsdam (Kp-index from 1932-present) and NOAA NCEI (AA-index converted to Kpa from 1868-1931) Sunspot numbers from WDC-SILSO, Royal Observatory of Belgium, Brussels A plot of the current Kp-index is located here: Sep 11, 2025 · The Kp-index is a global auroral activity indicator on a scale from 0 to 9. The Kp-index measures how solar activity disturbs the magnetic field of the earth (Siebert, 1971). Current Kp-index (provisional data) Data from GFZ Potsdam (planetary 3-hourly index of geomagnetic activity) Sunspot numbers from WDC-SILSO, Royal Observatory of Belgium, Brussels You can browse a Kp-index archive (1932 to present) here: http://www. Dec 10, 2024 · A higher Kp value indicates stronger geomagnetic storms and a greater likelihood of auroras. Through this process, students learn that there are many factors in predicting the aurora. Of course there are other factors to consider as well such as climate and length of day/night. But what exactly is the KP Index, and how does it affect your chances of seeing the Northern Lights? May 16, 2018 · Besides having the most recent Kp-value, the graphs show the solar wind, solar wind density and the Bt and Bz values of the interplanetary magnetic field (also known as the heliospheric magnetic The daily Ap-value is obtained by averaging the eight 3-hour values of ap for each day. Sep 8, 2025 · A: In general, a KP Index of 5 or above increases the likelihood of seeing the aurora in locations far from the poles, while lower values mean visibility close to the Arctic or Antarctic Circles. Perfect for beginners! Sep 8, 2025 · The KP Index is a crucial factor for anyone interested in witnessing the elusive and magical phenomenon of the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis. For any location on the middle latitudes a Kp-value of 7 is needed. Local values can be While many apps and tools are using KP index which is not a real-time data and when you are already in the aurora zone like Iceland you do not need a high KP to see the aurora. Northern Lights Visibility Guide: Aurora borealis typically visible across Canada, Alaska, northern Scotland, and Scandinavia during moderate activity (KP 3-4). The level of geomagnetic activity is indicated by the planetary K index or Kp. The Kp KP Index MapBESbswy The chart has 1 Y axis displaying values. MAF includes a live Bz graph, AF doesn't. Higher Kp values indicate stronger activity and more vibrant auroras extending closer to the equator. What Kp-value do I need to see auroras on my location? Any location on the high latitudes will be able to see auroras with a Kp of 4. The As the Kp Index rises, the aurora becomes more intense and visible at lower latitudes. Understanding the Kp Index To predict the northern lights, it is essential to understand the Kp index, a scale ranging from 0 to 9 that quantifies geomagnetic activity. Some aurora apps are designed for arctic vacationers in Iceland or Norway, and will advise you to go out searching for the lights with a Kp value of 2. Learn how the Kp index influences the visibility of the Northern Lights. To get the Ap-value you first need to convert the 3-hour Kp-values to ap-values. The Kp-index, or the planetary K-index, is derived by calculating a weighted average of K -indices from a network of 13 geomagnetic observatories at mid-latitude locations. com! A lot of people come to SpaceWeatherLive to follow the Solar activity or if there is a chance to see the aurora, but with more traffic comes higher costs to keep the servers online. In detail, Kp represents a 3-h weighted average from a global network of magnetometers measuring the maximum deviation in the horizontal component of the Earth’s magnetic field. Oct 10, 2024 · Viewing archive of Thursday, 10 October 2024 GFZ Potsdam official Kp-index The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Kp. Bartels in 1949 and is derived from the standardized K index (Ks) of 13 magnetic observatories. 3 days ago · Forecast: Moderate aurora activity forecasted. The green solid vertical line marks the time when the prediction was issued, with the timestamp shown in the header. A higher Kp Index indicates that more solar particles are interacting with Earth's magnetic field, releasing energy that generate auroras. The low latitudes need Kp-values of 8 or 9. Sharply negative values are associated with geomagnetic storms. The Kp number is a system of measuring aurora strength. Understanding the KP index What is KP index? How the KP index works KP and aurora forecast Why the KP index matters KP requirements by location Frequently asked questions about the KP index Bottom Line You've probably read somewhere that you need a KP index of 5 or higher to see the aurora. The NOAA dashboard has some good The value is calculated as the average of eight, three-hourly station a k -indices observed during a UT day, and provides a single, average value to indicate the activity level for that day. This article reviews the properties of the Kp index and provides a reference for users of the Kp index and associated data products as derived and distributed by the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences. Activity level quiet is equivalent to Kp values from 0 to 3 Activity level unsettled is equivalent to Kp values from 3 to 4 Activity level active is equivalent to Kp values from 4 Sep 8, 2025 · KP 4+ means good aurora activity, but even KP 3 can show aurora in New Zealand! The app shows both current and 3-hour forecast KP values in easy-to-understand terms. The higher the Kp index, the further south the Aurora Borealis can be seen. DST (Disturbance Storm Time index) is a measure in nanoTeslas of the ring current around earth and the strength of the magnetic field. Contrary to what many people think, the Kp index does not describe how intense or bright the Northern Lights will become. Both show the current and forecast Kp indices, probabilities of seeing the aurora from different locations, and the latest NASA multi-wavelength photos of the Sun. Storms are ranked by the Disturbance storm-time index (Dst) that is designed to measure the magnetic signature of magnetospheric currents observed in the equatorial regions. KP values of 8+ have been seen as far south as Georgia, Alabama, Arizona, northern Jul 13, 2023 · For Kp values from 6 to 7, the aurora moves even further from the poles, becomes significantly brighter, and shows increased activity. 7 cm solar radio flux, the planetary A index, and the largest daily K values. Remember Kp levels are indicative of the PAST 3 hours of data using measurements from ground-based magnetometers around the world. 006). The Kp-Index – derived from the German “Planetarische Kennziffer meaning “Planetary Index” – is a measure of geomagnetic activity in the Earth’s atmosphere. It also shows min and max expected values for Kp. By adding data from the NASA TIMED GUVI instrument, Newell et al. A complete summary of weekly activity and 27-day forecasts since 1997, plus an extensive descriptive, are online as The Weekly. These values, in turn, affect the clarity and location of the Northern Lights on Earth, helping hunters to gauge where the aurora will be brightest. The method which is referred to as the MAK-method after the authors, uses time shifted solar wind data (IMF, pressure and velocity) from L1 as input. Kp (planetary) index is another well known indicator of aurorae and geomagnetic storm probability. Values above 500 km/s could be an indication of a geomagnetic storm coming. 2004. Kp levels ARE a measurement of geomagnetic activity, and the higher the number, the bigger the area away from the magnetic poles Tips on Viewing Aurora: Viewing the aurora depends on four important factors Geomagnetic Activity: If the geomagnetic field is active, then the aurora will be brighter and further from the poles. Jan 13, 2018 · One of the best aurora displays I’ve ever seen happened to occur on one of the least active days historically. Solar flares Sunspots How to interpret auroral forecast data? Get the Aurora Forecast App And if you enjoy the app, then you can Buy Me a Coffee to help it shine on, stay free and ad-free. As this index increases, the aurora's southern edge moves southward. How the Kp Index Works What is it? The Kp index is a global measure of the Earth’s magnetic field To find a good aurora borealis forecast for Tromsø, there are several websites and apps that can provide up-to-date information! When geomagnetic activity is very active (Kp = 8 or 9), the aurora goes through a similar progression; however, the activity is no longer limited to the few hours around midnight. Each bar represents the 3-hour width of the Kp index. If you are planning a trip to see the aurora hopefully this data will help you decide when to go and have the highest success rate. The 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table , issued Mondays by 1500 UTC, is a numerical forecast of three key solar-geophysical indices; the 10. theusner. The label 'K' comes from the German word 'Kennziffer' meaning 'characteristic digit. 1 day ago · Smart aurora chasers look beyond KP index alone because KP is a 3-hour historical average that shows what already happened, not what's coming. The Kp-index is a global auroral activity indicator on a scale from 0 to 9. 2011a; 2011b). When the Kp value reach that high, aurora “will become very bright and very active,” according to NOAA. You can choose a viewing mode to quickly look for days with interesting space weather and pick a day to view the archived data for that day with more detailed space weather data. Last friday the Kp was also low but we saw them in the Mar 13, 2021 · The geomagnetic Kp index is one of the most extensively used indices of geomagnetic activity, both for scientific and operational purposes. php About the Kp index The K-index quantifies disturbances in the horizontal component of Earth’s magnetic field with an integer in the range 0–9 with 1 being calm and 5 or more indicating a geomagnetic storm. When my husband and I went on a tour the Kp was basically nothing but we still got to see them. They need it for their login page redirection and want to utilize KP libraries on their non AEM page. Eg: 00-03 is 12-3 am and 18-21 is 6-9 pm UTC. In the tables below, we show how the latitudes provide threshold values for the Kp index, and how we have devised a 3-part aurora index based on this. Higher values indicate a higher likelihood of seeing the aurora. The near real-time production of the nowcast Aurora Northern Hemisphere This tool shows where auroras are likely to appear soon. ' The K-index was introduced by Julius Bartels in 1938. The most active part of the auroral oval expands into the evening and morning sectors and bright active auroras can be seen nearly all night long. Speed km/s - solar wind speed. jastp. Normally, solar wind values are around 300 km/s. These values indicate the expected geomagnetic activity for any given 3-hour period for the next three days. Thank you. Since you’re this far north it doesn’t really matter (okay maybe you’ll get a more spectacular show when the kp is higher). SLSO page will be used by identity auth (Consumer Identity ) team. Read more. 9h gbjm durin iwec kv ii kmryluk w1q eao dould