Tonight
Aug 26 - Aug 27
- 48 °F
64 percent cloud cover - 47 °F
63 percent cloud cover - 46 °F77 percent cloud cover
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Northern Lights Forecast for Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
64°50′16.1″N ⋅ 147°42′59.0″W
Aurora data last updated at
Current local time:
Aurora activity is expected to be moderate between 10 PM and 7 AM in Fairbanks tonight. Sky will be dark from 11:55 PM to 3:50 AM local time. Cloud cover around that time looks mostly cloudy at 30% to 100%. You might see the aurora if the sky is not too cloudy at the right time.
Aurora Forecast for Fairbanks, AK
Today at 4:00 PM
Low Activity
Cloud Cover:38%
Aurora activity
High clouds
Middle clouds
Low clouds
Fog
Aurora activity
High clouds
Middle clouds
Low clouds
Fog
Hourly aurora forecast for Fairbanks
| Local time | Aurora activity |
|---|---|
| Low Activity | |
| Low Activity | |
| Moderate Activity | |
| Moderate Activity | |
| Moderate Activity | |
| Moderate Activity | |
| Low Activity | |
| Low Activity | |
| Low Activity | |
| Moderate Activity | |
| Moderate Activity | |
| High Activity | |
| Moderate Activity | |
| Moderate Activity | |
| Low Activity | |
| Low Activity |
3-Night Weather Forecast for Fairbanks, AK
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Tomorrow night
Aug 27 - Aug 28
- 50 °F
100 percent cloud cover - 49 °F100 percent cloud cover
- 49 °F100 percent cloud cover
Friday night
Aug 28 - Aug 29
- 53 °F100 percent cloud cover
- 51 °F100 percent cloud cover
- 50 °F100 percent cloud cover
Sun & Moon
Sunset
Sunrise
Dark from 11:55 PM to 03:50 AM (3 h 55 min)
Current Moon
Full Moon
98% illumination
Refresh to load today's sun path.
Long-Term Aurora Forecast for Fairbanks, AK
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wednesday, August 26, 2026. Today. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 2 out of 10. Full moon, 97% illumination | Thursday, August 27, 2026. Moderate aurora activity. Aurora score 6 out of 10. Full moon, 100% illumination | Friday, August 28, 2026. High aurora activity. Aurora score 7 out of 10. Full moon, 100% illumination | Saturday, August 29, 2026. Moderate aurora activity. Aurora score 6 out of 10. Full moon, 98% illumination | Sunday, August 30, 2026. Moderate aurora activity. Aurora score 5 out of 10. Waning gibbous, 94% illumination | ||
Monday, August 31, 2026. Moderate aurora activity. Aurora score 4 out of 10. Waning gibbous, 88% illumination | Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 2 out of 10. Waning gibbous, 80% illumination | Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 2 out of 10. Waning gibbous, 70% illumination | Thursday, September 3, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 2 out of 10. Last quarter, 60% illumination | Friday, September 4, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 3 out of 10. Last quarter, 48% illumination | Saturday, September 5, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 3 out of 10. Last quarter, 37% illumination | Sunday, September 6, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 2 out of 10. Waning crescent, 26% illumination |
Monday, September 7, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 2 out of 10. Waning crescent, 17% illumination | Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 2 out of 10. Waning crescent, 9% illumination | Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 2 out of 10. New moon, 3% illumination | Thursday, September 10, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 2 out of 10. New moon, 1% illumination | Friday, September 11, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 2 out of 10. New moon, 0% illumination | Saturday, September 12, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 3 out of 10. New moon, 2% illumination | Sunday, September 13, 2026. Moderate aurora activity. Aurora score 5 out of 10. Waxing crescent, 6% illumination |
Monday, September 14, 2026. Moderate aurora activity. Aurora score 4 out of 10. Waxing crescent, 12% illumination | Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 3 out of 10. Waxing crescent, 20% illumination | Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 3 out of 10. Waxing crescent, 28% illumination | Thursday, September 17, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 2 out of 10. First quarter, 37% illumination | Friday, September 18, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 2 out of 10. First quarter, 47% illumination | Saturday, September 19, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 2 out of 10. First quarter, 56% illumination | Sunday, September 20, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 2 out of 10. First quarter, 65% illumination |
Monday, September 21, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 2 out of 10. Waxing gibbous, 74% illumination | Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Low aurora activity. Aurora score 2 out of 10. Waxing gibbous, 82% illumination |
LowAurora ActivityHigh
Northern Lights in Fairbanks
Fairbanks is situated in United States's Alaska area. With a latitude of 64.8°, it sits just below the Arctic Circle, putting it in an excellent position when geomagnetic activity rises. Monitor local weather carefully, as clear skies are your biggest hurdle in this prime location.
When to see auroras in Fairbanks
You can spot the aurora here anytime from September to March. While the dark winter months are most popular, the autumn and spring equinoxes often bring a statistical increase in geomagnetic activity.
FAQ
What Kp index do I need to see the northern lights in Fairbanks?
In Fairbanks, you usually need at least Kp 1 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. You should have a good chance of seeing the aurora if the sky is clear.