Hello, I’m Zukki.
As an Aurora hunter, I know that seeing the Northern Lights relies on two things: luck and preparation. Luck handles the intensity of the solar activity, but preparation helps you know when to look up.
If you’re traveling in Finland or any other Arctic destination, you can’t just rely on local tours or human guides. You need a free, powerful, and real-time tool.
This article provides a simple guide for tourists on how to use the indispensable app: ‘My Aurora Forecast & Alerts’. Forget complicated astronomy—this guide focuses on the three key pieces of information you need to step outside and succeed.
Part 1: The REAL-TIME Hunter’s Tool (The “NOW” Tab)
This section is for travelers who are already outside and need to know if they should stay out for another hour or call it a night.
1. Set Your Location and Get Instant ALERTS
The first step is critical: Set your location.
- Open the app and register your current location (e.g., Rovaniemi, Ivalo, or your intended viewing spot).
- Action: Turn on the Alerts function.
- The Value: The app will notify you the moment the probability of the Aurora appearing reaches your set threshold (e.g., Kp 3). This means you don’t have to constantly check your phone—the app will tell you when it’s time to put on your heavy clothes and go out!
2. The 5-Minute Check: Probability + Clouds
![Aurora Map [Probabilities]](https://finlandzukitabi.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1-2.jpg)
Go to the “Now” screen and tap “Aurora Map”. This is the only view you need for a last-minute check.
- Probabilities Map: Check the color-coded map to see the current likelihood of the Aurora in your area.
- Green means low chance, Orange or Red means a strong chance.
- Clouds Map: Switch to the “Clouds” tab. This is the most important check. Even if the Aurora is strong, you won’t see it through thick clouds. You need to look for low cloud coverage, indicating clear patches of sky.
Always check both! If the probability is high but the clouds are 100%, you won’t see anything. If the sky is clear, even a low probability is worth waiting for.
Part 2: The TRIP PLANNER’s Tool (The “FORECASTS” Tab)
This section helps you plan which night during your trip is the best to book a tour, drive out to a remote spot, or stay up late.
1. Check Mid-Term Activity using the Kp Index
Go to the “Forecasts” tab to see the Kp Index for the upcoming hours and days.
- What is Kp? Kp is the global indicator of geomagnetic activity on a 0–9 scale. Higher Kp means a stronger Aurora and better visibility.
- The Value for You: For an average show in Finnish Lapland (above the Arctic Circle), you generally need a Kp of 3 or higher. Use this forecast to identify the most promising night during your stay.
2. Nightly Cloud Coverage
Scrolling down on the “Forecasts” screen shows “Cloud Coverage Tonight”.
- This hourly chart predicts how cloudy your location will be throughout the evening.
- The Value: Combine the Kp forecast with the Cloud Coverage forecast to determine the single best night to focus your efforts.
Part 3: Advanced Data Dive (For the Enthusiast)
If you are a serious Aurora hunter and want to predict the exact moment of a massive storm, you’ll need the Solar Wind data (found in the “Forecasts” tab, below the Kp index).
- Solar Wind Speed & Density: When these numbers are high, the energy hitting the Earth is stronger.
- Solar Wind Bz (Magnetic Field): This is the most crucial real-time indicator.
- The value needs to be NEGATIVE (e.g., -5 nT or lower) to connect with Earth’s magnetic field and cause a strong reaction.
- The Final Cue: When you see the Kp forecast rising and the Bz value suddenly dropping into the deep negative zone, an intense Aurora is likely to hit your location soon—often within 15 minutes to an hour. Get ready!
Conclusion: App Benefits and Caveats
- App Benefits: Real-time alerts, combine activity and weather, and provide clear data to help you make informed decisions.
- Final Caveat: The app is a forecast, not a guarantee. Auroras are a natural phenomenon. The forecast might be perfect, but clouds could roll in, or the solar wind could shift unexpectedly. Use the app to select the best time and place, and then trust your own eyes and look at the sky!
Enjoy your unforgettable Aurora hunting trip!
Complete Aurora Borealis Guide
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