Tonight
Aug 26 - Aug 27
- 56 °F
13 percent cloud cover - 53 °F13 percent cloud cover
- 51 °F10 percent cloud cover
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Northern Lights Forecast for Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
61°13′5.2″N ⋅ 149°54′1.1″W
Aurora data last updated at
Current local time:
Aurora activity is expected to be low between 5 PM and 12 PM in Anchorage tonight. Sky will be dark from 11:19 PM to 4:44 AM local time. Cloud cover around that time looks partly cloudy at 5% to 85%. Even with clearer skies, low activity would likely make any aurora faint.
Aurora Forecast for Anchorage, AK
Today at 4:00 PM
No activity
Cloud Cover:25%
Aurora activity
High clouds
Middle clouds
Low clouds
Fog
Aurora activity
High clouds
Middle clouds
Low clouds
Fog
Hourly aurora forecast for Anchorage
| Local time | Aurora activity |
|---|---|
| No activity | |
| Low Activity | |
| Low Activity | |
| Low Activity | |
| Low Activity | |
| Low Activity | |
| Low Activity | |
| Low Activity | |
| Low Activity | |
| Low Activity | |
| Low Activity | |
| Low Activity | |
| Low Activity | |
| Low Activity | |
| Low Activity | |
| Low Activity |
3-Night Weather Forecast for Anchorage, AK
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Tomorrow night
Aug 27 - Aug 28
- 56 °F
96 percent cloud cover - 56 °F100 percent cloud cover
- 54 °F
100 percent cloud cover
Friday night
Aug 28 - Aug 29
- 56 °F100 percent cloud cover
- 57 °F98 percent cloud cover
- 57 °F94 percent cloud cover
Sun & Moon
Sunset
Sunrise
Dark from 11:19 PM to 04:44 AM (5 h 25 min)
Current Moon
Full Moon
98% illumination
Refresh to load today's sun path.
Long-Term Aurora Forecast for Anchorage, AK
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wednesday, August 26, 2026. Today. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 1 out of 10. Full moon, 97% illumination | Thursday, August 27, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 3 out of 10. Full moon, 100% illumination | Friday, August 28, 2026. Moderate aurora activity. Aurora score 5 out of 10. Full moon, 100% illumination | Saturday, August 29, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 4 out of 10. Full moon, 98% illumination | Sunday, August 30, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 2 out of 10. Waning gibbous, 94% illumination | ||
Monday, August 31, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 2 out of 10. Waning gibbous, 88% illumination | Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 1 out of 10. Waning gibbous, 80% illumination | Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 1 out of 10. Waning gibbous, 70% illumination | Thursday, September 3, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 1 out of 10. Last quarter, 60% illumination | Friday, September 4, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 1 out of 10. Last quarter, 48% illumination | Saturday, September 5, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 1 out of 10. Last quarter, 37% illumination | Sunday, September 6, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 1 out of 10. Waning crescent, 26% illumination |
Monday, September 7, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 1 out of 10. Waning crescent, 17% illumination | Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 1 out of 10. Waning crescent, 9% illumination | Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 1 out of 10. New moon, 3% illumination | Thursday, September 10, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 1 out of 10. New moon, 1% illumination | Friday, September 11, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 1 out of 10. New moon, 0% illumination | Saturday, September 12, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 1 out of 10. New moon, 2% illumination | Sunday, September 13, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 2 out of 10. Waxing crescent, 6% illumination |
Monday, September 14, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 2 out of 10. Waxing crescent, 12% illumination | Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 1 out of 10. Waxing crescent, 20% illumination | Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 1 out of 10. Waxing crescent, 28% illumination | Thursday, September 17, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 1 out of 10. First quarter, 37% illumination | Friday, September 18, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 1 out of 10. First quarter, 47% illumination | Saturday, September 19, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 1 out of 10. First quarter, 56% illumination | Sunday, September 20, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 1 out of 10. First quarter, 65% illumination |
Monday, September 21, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 1 out of 10. Waxing gibbous, 74% illumination | Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 1 out of 10. Waxing gibbous, 82% illumination |
LowAurora ActivityHigh
Anchorage Aurora Guide
Found in Alaska, Anchorage offers unique opportunities for aurora hunters visiting United States. At a latitude of 61.2°, it is further south than traditional aurora hotspots. While it takes patience and luck, catching a display from here is an unforgettable experience.
When to see auroras in Anchorage
While auroras are driven by solar storms rather than seasons, you still need dark skies. In Anchorage, your best chances are during the darker months from October through February.
FAQ
What Kp index do I need to see the northern lights in Anchorage?
In Anchorage, you usually need at least Kp 3 to have a reasonable chance of seeing the northern lights. Lower Kp can still bring a faint aurora display low on the northern horizon, but it is less common.
This is based on magnetic latitude, and Kp index is a global geomagnetic index, so treat it as a rule of thumb, not a location-specific guarantee.
Tonight, the NOAA Kp index forecast is 3 to 3.4. That is around the usual Kp index threshold for Anchorage, so you might have a chance of seeing the aurora if the sky is clear and dark.