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A guide to seeing the Northern Lights in Central Europe, including recent sightings, solar activity and how to track the aurora in Germany, France, Switzerland and more.
Because of very strong solar activity, the Aurora Borealis has recently appeared much farther south than usual. While the lights are normally seen in Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Iceland, they are now showing up in Central Europe, including Germany, France, and Switzerland.
This shift is part of the current solar cycle, which is reaching its peak. As a result, 2025 and 2026 are some of the best years in decades to see auroras outside the far north.
Yes, it is possible to see the Northern Lights in Germany, France, Switzerland and other countries across Central and Western Europe.
Throughout 2025, increased solar activity pushed the aurora much farther south than usual, allowing sightings in countries where the Northern Lights are normally very rare.
Most recently, on January 19th, a S4 strong solar radiation storm led to widespread aurora visibility across parts of Central Europe.
Hello Aurora users reported hundreds of sightings from Germany and nearby regions. Similar events have also resulted in confirmed sightings in France and Switzerland. While auroras this far south are still uncommon, the current solar cycle has made them more frequent and easier to observe than in previous years.
Watch a short recap video about what happened on January 19th.
Norther Lights in Germany by Tim Dennert from Unsplash
The Northern Lights are moving farther south because the Sun follows an 11-year solar cycle, and it is currently near its peak.
During this phase, the Sun releases stronger solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which send charged particles toward Earth. When these particles interact with Earth’s magnetic field, they disturb it more often and over a wider area. As a result, the aurora expands to lower latitudes, making the Northern Lights visible in central Europe.
In reality, Northern Lights can look pale like this photo spotted by a Hello Aurora user in France.
The lights may look like a faint grey mist to the naked eye when they are far south. To confirm a sighting:
Step 1: look north and find a clear view of the northern horizon away from city lights.
Step2: when in doubt always use your camera or phone to check. Use "Night Mode" or a long exposure (2–5 seconds) to take a photo.
Step 3: check colours: If the photo shows shades of red, purple, or green, you are seeing the Northern Lights.
Image showing how to track the Northern Lights activity in Central Europe with Hello Aurora app.
Auroras are unpredictable, the best approach is to monitor real-time data and reports from other aurora spotters.
Step 1: set up your Northern Lights tracker
Download the Hello Aurora app on App Store or Play Store and create an account*
*We required account creation to make sure the community is safe and focussed only on the Northern Lights.
Step 2: check the long-term forecast
Use the app to see when strong aurora activity is expected in the coming days or weeks.
Step 3: monitor real-time data on active days
On dates with predicted activity, at nigh check the app's real-time data to track current conditions. The stronger the forecast, the better your chances of seeing the Northern Lights from your location.
Important factors that can block your view:
Use the map feature to watch the aurora oval's progression. If you see large red zones extending toward your country, your chances are high—but local weather conditions are crucial.
Step 4: check live sightings
Look at the map page to see if people at similar latitudes are reporting Northern Lights sightings in real time. This helps confirm whether auroras are actually visible in your region.
Pro tip: Even with strong forecasts, clear skies and minimal light pollution are essential for viewing the Northern Lights.
The following dates reflect Northern Lights activity reported through Hello Aurora Moment's feature, based on user-confirmed observations across central Europe.
During the current solar cycle, powerful events such as X-class solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are happening more often than usual. These events are what allow the aurora to reach much farther south, including Central Europe.
Because the Sun rotates every 27 days, patterns from the previous rotation can sometimes repeat. This means that if a strong solar storm occurred in the last 27 days, there is a possibility of similar activity happening again, although it is never guaranteed.
Long-term forecasts can help identify these potential windows, but they should always be treated as guidance rather than certainty, as solar conditions can change quickly.
As the date gets closer, short-term forecasts become much more reliable and should be checked regularly.
In Central Europe, aurora visibility usually requires a KP index above 7, along with clear skies and low light pollution. Using real-time tracking and alerts can help ensure you don’t miss short and unexpected visibility windows when they occur.
The Northern Lights are no longer just a northern phenomenon. With the current solar cycle, Central Europe has rare opportunities to experience the aurora. You may not see bright green curtains every time, but even faint glows are part of the same powerful natural event. That said, the Arctic region remains the best place to see strong and vivid Northern Lights displays.
Purple Aurora Borealis in Central Europe. Photo by Joshua Kettle from Unsplash.
Q: Do I need a high KP index to see the Northern Lights in Central Europe?
A: Yes. For the aurora oval to extend south and become visible at lower latitudes, you need a high KP index (typically KP 7 or above). Unlike in the Arctic, where the Northern Lights can appear even with low KP values, Central Europe and other southern regions require much stronger geomagnetic activity.
Q: How much notice will I have before an aurora appears?
A: It varies. Major solar storms can be predicted 1-3 days in advance, but the exact timing and intensity can change quickly. Real-time monitoring through apps like Hello Aurora is essential for catching auroras as they happen.
Q: Can I see the Northern Lights from a city?
A: It's difficult but not impossible. Light pollution significantly reduces visibility. Your best chances are from dark locations away from city lights. During extremely strong events, auroras may be visible even from urban areas, though they'll appear much fainter.
Q: Is Hello Aurora free?
A: Yes, Hello Aurora is free to use, with premium versions available for additional features.
Q: Is Hello Aurora available in languages other than English?
A: The app is available in German, French, and Thai on the iOS version. TO change the language, please go to "More" and "Language". Please note this is currently in beta, so some parts may not be fully translated yet. Support for other languages on Android is coming soon. If you spot any mistakes or errors, please let us know.
Q: Why do I need to create an account?
A: Hello Aurora isn't just a forecast app, it's a community of aurora lovers. We require account creation to protect the community and maintain a safe, reliable space for sharing sightings. We only collect information outlined in our Privacy Policy. Creating an account helps us monitor the community and ensure quality reports for everyone. You are free to delete the account by yourself anytime via the app.
Q: Should I rely on KP forecasts alone?
A: No. While KP forecasts are helpful, real-time data and live sighting reports from other users are more reliable. Conditions can change rapidly, so checking the Hello Aurora map for current sightings at similar latitudes is your best strategy.
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