Austria: Where and When to See the Northern Lights
Aurora season in Austria runs from September to April.
Austria: how often the northern lights appear depends on how far you are from the pole. Around Linz it takes about Kp 7; around Villach, about Kp 8. Season: September to April.
Austria tonight
Low
Best aurora chance tonight, Austria: Low. Best place: Lienz, 10:00 PM–2:00 AM.
| Place | Aurora Score | Best viewing window | Cloud cover | Min Kp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LienzTyrol | 36Low | 10:00 PM–2:00 AM | 0% | 7 |
| GrazStyria | 35Low | 10:00 PM–2:00 AM | 5% | 7 |
| KnittelfeldStyria | 33Low | 10:00 PM–2:00 AM | 16% | 7 |
| WelsUpper Austria | 28Low | 11:00 PM–1:00 AM | 41% | 7 |
| EisenstadtBurgenland | 26Low | 10:00 PM–12:00 AM | 49% | 7 |
Aurora Forecast AI Tracker
Track the Northern Lights forecast in Austria
Use the app to follow the Northern Lights forecast across Austria with local aurora scores, cloud cover, Kp index and viewing windows. Save cities and regions in Austria, compare conditions, and get alerts when the aurora forecast becomes favorable.
- Smart aurora alerts
- Best viewing window
- Hourly forecast
- Saved locations
Best Months to See the Northern Lights in Austria
The aurora season in Austria usually runs from September to April.
Aurora by region in Austria
Where the odds are best in Austria
| Place | Aurora zone | Min Kp | Geomagnetic latitude | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇹LinzUpper Austria | Low latitude | 7 | 44.0° | September to April |
| 🇦🇹Vienna | Low latitude | 7 | 44.0° | September to April |
| 🇦🇹Sankt PöltenLower Austria | Low latitude | 7 | 43.9° | September to April |
| 🇦🇹WelsUpper Austria | Low latitude | 7 | 43.8° | September to April |
| 🇦🇹SteyrUpper Austria | Low latitude | 7 | 43.7° | September to April |
| 🇦🇹EisenstadtBurgenland | Low latitude | 7 | 43.5° | September to April |
| 🇦🇹Wiener NeustadtLower Austria | Low latitude | 7 | 43.5° | September to April |
| 🇦🇹Salzburg | Low latitude | 7 | 43.4° | September to April |
| 🇦🇹Saalfelden am Steinernen MeerSalzburg | Low latitude | 7 | 42.9° | September to April |
| 🇦🇹BregenzVorarlberg | Low latitude | 7 | 42.9° | September to April |
Popular cities in Austria
Other countries
Northern lights guides
- What Is the Kp Index? Scale, G-Storms, and Your LatitudeThe Kp index measures geomagnetic disturbance, not aurora overhead: the 0–9 scale, NOAA G-storm levels, and what a rising Kp means at your latitude.
- How to Read Our Aurora Forecast: Score, Kp and CloudsHow to read the Aurora Score, Kp, cloud cover and best viewing window on our forecast pages, and turn them into tonight's decision.
- How to See and Photograph the Northern Lights on Your PhoneYour phone often shows aurora your eyes can't. Why cameras see color the eye misses, how to shoot it with night mode, and when it won't work.
- What Kp Do You Need to See the Northern Lights in Iceland?Iceland sits at the edge of the auroral oval, so low Kp is enough when it is dark and clear. Why Reykjavík needs a little more, and how to use the number.
- How Our Aurora Forecast Works: Data Sources and MethodHow the Aurora Score is built: NOAA Kp and OVATION, Open-Meteo cloud cover, darkness, moon, AACGM-v2 geomagnetic latitude — every weight and known limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see the Northern Lights in Austria tonight?
Austria: it depends on where you are and on tonight's sky. Linz needs about Kp 7; Villach needs about Kp 8. On top of that it takes a clear, dark sky — cloud blocks aurora at any Kp. The table at the top of this page has tonight's forecast city by city.
What Kp index is needed to see the Northern Lights in Austria?
Austria has no single number. The higher the Kp, the further from the pole the auroral oval reaches, so the threshold rises with distance from the pole: Linz needs about Kp 7, Villach about Kp 8. Each city's page gives its own threshold.
What are the best months to see the Northern Lights in Austria?
The best months to see the Northern Lights in Austria are typically September to April, when nights are darker and aurora viewing conditions are better.
Where is the best place to see the Northern Lights in Austria?
Austria: of the places in this list, Linz needs the least — about Kp 7 — while Villach needs about Kp 8. Wherever you are, a dark sky away from city lights matters more than the exact spot.