Reykjavík vs Fairbanks

Aurora forecast comparison — updated hourly

Tonight's Verdict

🇮🇸

Reykjavík

Peak: Sep–Mar

Skip it

Maybe

Book it

🚫 Not tonight — too cloudy

Kp tonight3.0

Clouds (ECMWF)71%

Aurora probability16%

🇺🇸

Fairbanks

Peak: Sep–Mar

Skip it

Maybe

Book it

✅ Great night — book it!

Kp tonight2.7

Clouds (ECMWF)10%

Aurora probability18%

Head-to-Head

Metric🇮🇸 Reykjavík🇺🇸 Fairbanks

Latitude64.1°N64.8°N

Kp for overhead auroraKp 1+Kp 1+

Kp for good displayKp 2+Kp 2+

Cloud cover (ECMWF)71%10%

Cloud cover (GFS)100%66%

Dark hours5.1h4.7h

Aurora probability16%18%

Solar wind speed––

Bz value––

Best window tonight00h (61%)22h (5%)

Highlighted cell = better value for aurora viewing

Next 3 Nights

Night🇮🇸 Reykjavík🇺🇸 Fairbanks

Thu, Aug 13

✗

71%

Kp 3.0

✓

10%

Kp 2.7

Fri, Aug 14

✓

Kp 4.0

✗

99%

Kp 3.0

Sat, Aug 15

✓

18%

Kp 3.7

✗

80%

Kp 4.0

Which should I choose?

Reykjavík vs Fairbanks — Which should I choose?

Both cities require Kp 1+ to see aurora overhead, placing them at a similar position relative to the auroral oval. Tonight Fairbanks has the clearer sky at 10% cloud cover versus 71% for the other city. Reykjavík: Iceland's capital — combine northern lights with Golden Circle tours. Fairbanks: Directly under the auroral oval — one of Earth's top aurora hot spots.

Full Forecasts

🇮🇸View full Reykjavík forecast→🇺🇸View full Fairbanks forecast→