Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Northern lights in Clermont-Ferrand tonight

Real-time aurora forecast for Clermont-Ferrand (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes) - latitude 45.78° N, estimated Kp threshold 9.

Kp index

2.0

quiet

Hemispheric power

North37GW

South45GW

Source: app.pulsar-si.com

Tonight in Clermont-Ferrand

Very unlikely

Based on Kp 2.0 and Clermont-Ferrand's latitude.

Seeing the northern lights from Clermont-Ferrand

Clermont-Ferrand, at 45.8° N, sits in the heart of the Massif Central. The observation threshold is around Kp 7. The Chaîne des Puys (UNESCO-listed) offers accessible high points with a perfectly clear northern horizon. The Puy de Dôme (1465 m), Puy de Pariou and Gergovie plateau give, in a few minutes from Clermont, access to skies much better than the urban area.

Observation conditions in Clermont-Ferrand

Clermont-Ferrand is rated Bortle 6. The Volcans d'Auvergne regional park (Bortle 3, 30-80 km) gives access to some of the darkest skies in central France. The Sancy and the Cantal (Bortle 2-3, 60-150 km) are reference sites. The continental mid-mountain climate delivers many clear nights in autumn and winter, but winters can be harsh at altitude.

Recent auroras from Clermont-Ferrand

10-11 May 2024 (Kp 9): colourful aurora photographed from the Puy de Dôme, the Gergovie plateau and the Sancy. 24 March 2024 (Kp 8): aurora reported from the Cantal. 5 November 2023 (Kp 7): faint aurora visible from the Volcans d'Auvergne.

Local conditions

Light pollution

Bortle 6 of 9

SQM 19.00 mag/arcsec²

Nearest darker sky

Saint-Jacques

2 km · Bortle 2

Kp forecast, next 3 days

Source: app.pulsar-si.com. For an aurora to be visible from Clermont-Ferrand, Kp must exceed 9.

Wed 17 Jun

1.9

Expected max Kp

Thu 18 Jun

2.2

Expected max Kp

Fri 19 Jun

2.0

Expected max Kp

Frequently asked questions

Can you see the northern lights from Clermont-Ferrand?

Yes, but rarely. Typically a Kp index of ≥ 9 is needed for the aurora to become visible from Clermont-Ferrand (latitude 45.8° N). Major geomagnetic storms (Kp 8-9) that reach this latitude happen only a handful of times per 11-year solar cycle.

What Kp index is needed to see auroras from Clermont-Ferrand?

The approximate Kp threshold for Clermont-Ferrand is 9. Below that, auroras stay confined to high latitudes (Norway, Scotland). Above it, they gradually extend southward. A Kp of 10 gives a fair chance, 11 a strong one.

When is the best time to watch from Clermont-Ferrand?

Auroras are a nighttime phenomenon, best observed between roughly 10 PM and 2 AM local time, when the geomagnetic pole is tilted towards the Earth's night side. In practice, peaks depend on when a coronal mass ejection arrives - activity can spike at any hour.

Where around Clermont-Ferrand offers better conditions?

Move at least 40-60 km north of Clermont-Ferrand to escape urban light pollution and gain 1-2 magnitudes of limiting magnitude.

Nearby cities

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