Sweden: Where and When to See the Northern Lights
Sweden is a strong aurora destination, especially in Swedish Lapland from September to April.
Sweden: how often the northern lights appear depends on how far you are from the pole. Around Abisko it takes about Kp 1; around Malmö, about Kp 5. Season: September to April.
Sweden tonight
High
Best aurora chance tonight, Sweden: High. Best place: Skellefteå, 12:00 AM–4:00 AM.
| Place | Aurora Score | Best viewing window | Cloud cover | Min Kp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SkellefteåVästerbotten County | 70High | 12:00 AM–4:00 AM | 1% | 3 |
| SundsvallVästernorrland County | 70High | 12:00 AM–4:00 AM | 5% | 3 |
| LuleåNorrbotten County | 69High | 10:00 PM–2:00 AM | 7% | 2 |
| UmeaVästerbotten County | 69High | 12:00 AM–2:00 AM | 8% | 3 |
| OrnskoldsvikVästernorrland County | 69High | 12:00 AM–2:00 AM | 8% | 3 |
Aurora Forecast AI Tracker
Track the Northern Lights forecast in Sweden
Use the app to follow the Northern Lights forecast across Sweden with local aurora scores, cloud cover, Kp index and viewing windows. Save cities and regions in Sweden, 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 Sweden
The aurora season in Sweden usually runs from September to April.
Where the odds are best in Sweden
| Place | Aurora zone | Min Kp | Geomagnetic latitude | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇸🇪AbiskoNorrbotten County | Auroral oval | 1 | 65.9° | September to April |
| 🇸🇪KirunaNorrbotten County | Auroral oval | 2 | 65.4° | September to April |
| 🇸🇪GällivareNorrbotten County | Auroral oval | 2 | 64.5° | September to April |
| 🇸🇪JokkmokkNorrbotten County | High latitude | 2 | 63.8° | September to April |
| 🇸🇪ArvidsjaurNorrbotten County | High latitude | 2 | 63.0° | September to April |
| 🇸🇪LuleåNorrbotten County | High latitude | 2 | 63.0° | September to April |
| 🇸🇪SkellefteåVästerbotten County | High latitude | 3 | 62.1° | September to April |
| 🇸🇪UmeaVästerbotten County | High latitude | 3 | 61.2° | September to April |
| 🇸🇪ÅreJämtland County | High latitude | 3 | 60.9° | September to April |
| 🇸🇪OrnskoldsvikVästernorrland County | High latitude | 3 | 60.6° | September to April |
Popular cities in Sweden
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 Sweden tonight?
Sweden: it depends on where you are and on tonight's sky. Abisko needs about Kp 1; Malmö needs about Kp 5. 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 Sweden?
Sweden 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: Abisko needs about Kp 1, Malmö about Kp 5. Each city's page gives its own threshold.
What are the best months to see the Northern Lights in Sweden?
September to April, with January, February, October, November giving the most hours of real darkness. The March and September equinoxes carry a statistical tilt toward higher activity — a shift in the odds, not a promise for any one night.
Where is the best place to see the Northern Lights in Sweden?
Sweden: of the places in this list, Abisko needs the least — about Kp 1 — while Malmö needs about Kp 5. Wherever you are, a dark sky away from city lights matters more than the exact spot.