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

3.0unsettled

Hemispheric power

North45GW

South48GW

Source: app.pulsar-si.com

Tonight in Clermont-Ferrand

Very unlikely

Based on Kp 3.0 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 19.20 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.

Sun 05 Apr

2.8

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

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Lyon

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