2025 was a record-breaking year for solar activity. It was also the year our aurora community truly took flight. As the Sun reached its peak, our users were not just watching. They became a global network of explorers helping each other see the world's greatest light show.
As we look at the aurora forecast 2026, let’s look back at what we achieved. Here is why this year is the time to join the hunt.
A community of aurora lovers without borders
In 2025, Hello Aurora became the go-to Northern Lights app for live updates. While the Northern Lights forecast tells you what might happen, our community shows you what is actually in the sky.
Our users spotted the aurora more than 26,000 times last year. These real-time reports changed the game for hunters everywhere.
- The Arctic core: Iceland remains the heart of the community with 16,000 pins shared, followed by 5,000 in Norway and a combined 900 in Finland.
- Central Europe: The Solar Maximum pushed the lights to latitudes we rarely see. Our community reported successful sightings in Central Europe (Germany, France, Italy, and Switzerland) and a surge of reports across the UK.
- USA Highlights: The app lit up with alerts in states that are unusual to see the Northern Lights across the United State.
Read a success story from our user who saw the Northern Lights in front of her house for the first time.
2025 peak Northern Lights events
The northern lights forecast reached a fever pitch several times in 2025. These were the nights you didn't want to miss.
- June 1, 2025: Even during the bright "Midnight Sun" in the north, the aurora found a way. A severe G4 storm pushed the lights so far south they were seen in Los Angeles and Tucson in USA and in central Europe.
- August 2025: Sunspot numbers hit 261. This energy fueled some of the strongest storms in recent memory.
- November 11–13, 2025: A massive solar flare created a rare multi-day event. It started as a G2 storm and intensified to a powerful G4 level. The sky turned green and red as far south as the southern United States. Our app received over 1,600 reports in just those three days.
Is 2026 still good for the Northern Lights?
Many people worry they missed light. That is not the case. Experts say 2026 is shaping up to be a good year for aurora chasing.
We are now in the declining phase of the solar cycle. History shows that the strongest solar events often happen right after the maximum. Scientific research from groups like NOAA confirms that large eruptions are common during this phase. Some of the most famous aurora storms happened years after the official peak.
This means you still have a high chance of seeing a beautiful intense aurora in 2026.
How to see the aurora in 2026
Planning a trip requires the right tools. Hello Aurora combines a northern lights forecast with live report from people on the ground. This ensures you will not miss the light when they happen.
What should you do next?
- New users: Download Hello Aurora for free. You will get live alerts and a real-time aurora forecast for your area.
- Planning a trip: Use the app to check your destination. See where others are seeing the lights and add those spots to your itinerary.