SpaceWeatherTracker · NOAA sources
Aurora Australis Tonight
Aurora australis is the southern lights. You need a dark sky, a clear view toward the southern auroral region and enough geomagnetic activity for your location; no Kp value guarantees a sighting.
Latest geomagnetic reading
Kp 0.7
Below geomagnetic storm threshold
NOAA interval begins
Kp summarizes a three-hour interval. The page checks sources every five minutes; that is not NOAA's observation cadence.
Forecast for your location
Where to look
For many observers in New Zealand, Tasmania and southern Australia, a clear southern horizon is useful. At higher magnetic latitudes, displays can appear overhead. Geographic latitude alone does not determine visibility.
When to look
Darkness is essential. Longer winter nights provide more viewing time, but aurora can occur in any season. Check local sunset, cloud cover and the predicted timing of activity.
What the camera sees
A camera may record faint color that appears pale or gray to the eye. A vivid photograph is not evidence that every observer will see the same colors or brightness.
Use the southern map
The southern auroral oval is a model of auroral activity, not a cloud map or a guaranteed viewing boundary. Use the dual-hemisphere forecast and select your actual city.
Recent NOAA notices
All notices and validity detailsalert
Kp 4 Geomagnetic Activity Alert
Issued
NOAA product text
Space Weather Message Code: ALTK04 Serial Number: 2691 Issue Time: 2026 Oct 16 1939 UTC ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 4 Threshold Reached: 2026 Oct 16 1940 UTC Synoptic Period: 1800-2100 Active Warning: YES Comment: NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 65 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude. Induced Currents - Weak power grid fluctuations can occur. Aurora - Aurora may be visible at high latitudes such as Canada and Alaska.
warning
Kp 4 Geomagnetic Activity Warning
Issued · Valid to 2026-10-17T03:00:00.000Z
NOAA product text
Space Weather Message Code: WARK04 Serial Number: 5436 Issue Time: 2026 Oct 16 1938 UTC WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 4 expected Valid From: 2026 Oct 16 1938 UTC Valid To: 2026 Oct 17 0300 UTC Warning Conditions: Onset Comment: NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 65 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude. Induced Currents - Weak power grid fluctuations can occur. Aurora - Aurora may be visible at high latitudes such as Canada and Alaska.
warning
Kp 4 Geomagnetic Activity Warning
Issued
NOAA product text
Space Weather Message Code: WARK04 Serial Number: 5435 Issue Time: 2026 Oct 13 2058 UTC EXTENDED WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 4 expected Extension to Serial Number: 5434 Valid From: 2026 Oct 13 0115 UTC Now Valid Until: 2026 Oct 14 1200 UTC Warning Condition: Persistence NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 65 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude. Induced Currents - Weak power grid fluctuations can occur. Aurora - Aurora may be visible at high latitudes such as Canada and Alaska.
warning
Kp 4 Geomagnetic Activity Warning
Issued
NOAA product text
Space Weather Message Code: WARK04 Serial Number: 5434 Issue Time: 2026 Oct 13 1431 UTC EXTENDED WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 4 expected Extension to Serial Number: 5433 Valid From: 2026 Oct 13 0115 UTC Now Valid Until: 2026 Oct 13 2100 UTC Warning Condition: Persistence NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 65 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude. Induced Currents - Weak power grid fluctuations can occur. Aurora - Aurora may be visible at high latitudes such as Canada and Alaska.
warning
Kp 4 Geomagnetic Activity Warning
Issued · Valid to 2026-10-13T15:00:00.000Z
NOAA product text
Space Weather Message Code: WARK04 Serial Number: 5433 Issue Time: 2026 Oct 13 0115 UTC WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 4 expected Valid From: 2026 Oct 13 0115 UTC Valid To: 2026 Oct 13 1500 UTC Warning Conditions: Onset Comment: NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 65 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude. Induced Currents - Weak power grid fluctuations can occur. Aurora - Aurora may be visible at high latitudes such as Canada and Alaska.
Recent products can include expired, superseded or cancelled notices. Read the original product before treating it as an active warning.
Sources and limitations
Independent interpretation by SpaceWeatherTracker; official measurements and notices are attributed to NOAA. Not for safety-of-life or operational decisions.