Northern Lights Alerts

Geomagnetic storm alerts

NOAA issues a storm watch when it expects a solar eruption (a coronal mass ejection) or a fast solar wind stream to reach Earth within the next 3 days. Hello Aurora notify you as soon as a watch comes out, usually a day or more before the storm hits.

A watch is a forecast, not a promise. The storm's real strength depends on the solar wind's magnetic field (Bz), which is only measured 30 to 60 minutes before it reaches Earth."

Solar Wind Shock alerts

Even when a Geomagnetic storm is predicted, energy takes time to travel. Fast CMEs reach Earth in 15 to 18 hours, while slower ones take days and can take 24–36 hours just to pass over. We alert you up to an hour before the solar wind shock reaches Earth and again the moment it hits.

Substorm notification

Substorms bring sudden bursts of brightness and movement of the Northern Lights. Hello Aurora let you know the exact second this active phase begins at your location, factoring in local conditions so you only get pinged when a sighting is real.

Sightings from people

There is nothing more reliable than verification from a fellow human on the ground who is actually seeing the lights. We send you alerts the exact second another user submits a Northern Lights sighting report, so you instantly know the lights are out and active nearby.

Q: Why can I not see anything after an alert?

A: Clouds and city lights are the main obstacles. Even if magnetic conditions are perfect, heavy clouds block the view. Move away from city lights and find a clear sky for the best experience.

Q: Does a geomagnetic storm guarantee I’ll see the Northern Lights?

A: No. A geomagnetic storm only sets the stage by expanding how far south the aurora can travel. To actually see the lights overhead, you still need three key conditions: a negative Bz value (Bz pointing south), negative Aurora Strength, active solar wind and clear enough skies.

Q: How to see live aurora spotted photos?

A: By going to the Map or Moments screen you will be able to see all the aurora spotted that were reported. If you want to see where are people seeing the aurora right now, our aurora map is made especially for that.

Q: How does the Kilometer radius filter work?

A: Standard version alerts you for an entire country. With this filter, you set a custom limit like 25 km. You only get notified if the aurora is spotted near your actual position.

Q: What is the Intensity filter?

A: Users report aurora sightings as weak, medium, or intense. If you only want to see bright, dancing lights, set your filter to intense. This helps you avoid going out for faint displays that are hard to see.