🌌 Aurora forecast

Aurora (Southern Lights) tonight in Christchurch?

A live, location-specific aurora forecast for Christchurch — tonight's Kp index, the live auroral oval model overhead, the Kp this latitude needs, and the 3-day outlook. Updated continuously.

Live · updated continuously

Unlikely tonight

Aurora is unlikely in Christchurch tonight

Kp is 2 (G0), below the roughly Kp 8 Christchurch typically needs for the southern lights (aurora australis) to come into view.

2Current Kp · G0

0%Overhead now (model)

Kp 8Needed for Christchurch

-46.8°Geomagnetic latitude

The 3-day outlook peaks around Kp 5, a little below the Kp 8 Christchurch usually needs — keep an eye on the live reading.

How to see the southern lights (aurora australis) from Christchurch

Look south. The aurora appears low on the southern horizon for Christchurch unless the storm is strong, so you need a clear, unobstructed view that way.
Get dark. Leave city lights behind — the darker the sky, the fainter an aurora you can catch. A new or low moon helps.
Time it. Activity peaks around magnetic midnight (about 10pm–2am local). Clear autumn-to-spring nights are best.
Check the live reading. A gust of solar wind gives only 15–60 minutes' warning, so watch the live Kp and the space weather dashboard on the night.

Understand the forecast

Aurora forecast hubLive Kp, the visibility map & best window Kp index explainedWhat the 0–9 scale means for you What is space weather?Solar wind, flares, CMEs & storms Space Weather nowLive solar & geomagnetic conditions

Aurora in Christchurch — common questions

Can I see the aurora tonight in Christchurch?

Aurora is unlikely in Christchurch tonight. Kp is 2 (G0), below the roughly Kp 8 Christchurch typically needs for the southern lights (aurora australis) to come into view.

What Kp index does Christchurch need for the aurora?

Christchurch sits at about -46.8° geomagnetic latitude, so the auroral oval typically reaches it around Kp 8 and above. Higher Kp brings brighter, higher displays; below that the aurora usually stays poleward of Christchurch.

Which way do I look for the aurora from Christchurch?

From Christchurch, look toward the southern horizon (toward the nearer pole). Find a dark site with a clear view that way, ideally around magnetic midnight (roughly 10pm–2am local).

Aurora forecast for another city

Pick your location for a tonight's-aurora verdict, or open the full aurora forecast hub for the live map and best viewing window.

Last updated 2026-11-09 · Live data: Kp index and auroral oval model. Geomagnetic-latitude thresholds are approximate.

Aurora is unlikely in Christchurch tonight

How to see the southern lights (aurora australis) from Christchurch

Understand the forecast

Aurora in Christchurch — common questions

Aurora forecast for another city

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