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Southern Lights Forecast in Australia

Check Australia’s current Southern Lights activity, then compare Tasmanian location bands, darkness and verified cloud without treating the oval as a local probability.

Australia's Southern Lights decision

Current Aurora Australis Conditions for Australia

For Australia, start with the Southern Hemisphere auroral oval, Kp/G-scale and Bz, then check darkness, verified cloud and a clear southern horizon in the specific Tasmanian location you can reach. None of those global signals is a local sighting probability.

Kp / G scale
Kp 2.0 · G0
Fresh
Observed 14 Oct, 12:00 UTC
IMF Bz
2.6 nT
Fresh
Northward · less favourable

Location-level decision bands

Compare the place you can actually reach

Southern HemisphereChecked 14 Oct, 16:05 UTC

Cockle Creek

Kp 5–7
Activity
Kp 2.0Below the local guideFresh
Local sky
95% cloudFresh
Darkness
Dark enough to assess the sky

Decision confidence: medium

How to read these numbers

AACGM-v2 magnetic latitude 54.2°S

Medium — verified AACGM coordinate and fresh planetary Kp; the local band remains approximate

NOAA planetary K index · Fresh · observed 14 Oct, 12:00 UTC

Cloud · Fresh · cache refreshed 14 Oct, 15:31 UTC
MET Norway Locationforecast (cached by Aurora Hunt) ↗

Calculated solar altitude -30.9° · 14 Oct, 16:05 UTC

AACGM-v2 2.7.1 ↗ · epoch 2026-09-04 · 0 km

Check the live forecast for Cockle Creek

Hobart

Kp 5–7
Activity
Kp 2.0Below the local guideFresh
Local sky
41% cloudFresh
Darkness
Dark enough to assess the sky

Decision confidence: medium

How to read these numbers

AACGM-v2 magnetic latitude 53.4°S

Medium — verified AACGM coordinate and fresh planetary Kp; the local band remains approximate

NOAA planetary K index · Fresh · observed 14 Oct, 12:00 UTC

Cloud · Fresh · cache refreshed 14 Oct, 15:55 UTC
MET Norway Locationforecast (cached by Aurora Hunt) ↗

Calculated solar altitude -31.3° · 14 Oct, 16:05 UTC

AACGM-v2 2.7.1 ↗ · epoch 2026-09-04 · 0 km

Check the live forecast for Hobart

Launceston

Kp 7–9
Activity
Kp 2.0Below the local guideFresh
Local sky
52% cloudFresh
Darkness
Dark enough to assess the sky

Decision confidence: medium

How to read these numbers

AACGM-v2 magnetic latitude 51.8°S

Medium — verified AACGM coordinate and fresh planetary Kp; the local band remains approximate

NOAA planetary K index · Fresh · observed 14 Oct, 12:00 UTC

Cloud · Fresh · cache refreshed 14 Oct, 15:55 UTC
MET Norway Locationforecast (cached by Aurora Hunt) ↗

Calculated solar altitude -32.5° · 14 Oct, 16:05 UTC

AACGM-v2 2.7.1 ↗ · epoch 2026-09-04 · 0 km

Check the live forecast for Launceston

Kp bands are magnetic-latitude screening ranges, not probabilities. Cloud, darkness and your view of the horizon still decide whether you can see a display.

What this means for tonight

NOAA Southern OVATION gives modeled oval context. BOM Kaus, alerts and watches add Australian regional context, but neither product guarantees visibility from a town or lookout.

Solar wind / IMF Bz · Fresh · observed 14 Oct, 15:59 UTC

NOAA OVATION models regional auroral activity. Bz, light pollution, the auroral oval and safe access also matter.

Check the local sky

Cloud can vary between Tasmanian coasts and valleys. Check the BOM forecast for your chosen spot; clear weather at one location does not describe the mainland.

Where to look

A dark, unobstructed southern horizon over water can help with a low display. Faint red or grey aurora may be camera-visible before it is clear to the eye.

Choose your next stop

Open Tasmania and then a nearby city for local detail, or choose a mainland forecast for your own plans. The guide below explains Southern Lights viewing.

How to read an Aurora Australis forecast

Tasmania

24 locations
View region Explore →

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Oct 15

Kp Index •••
Activity outlook •••
Cloud Cover •••

Oct 16

Kp Index •••
Activity outlook •••
Cloud Cover •••

Oct 17

Kp Index •••
Activity outlook •••
Cloud Cover •••

Aurora forecast questions and answers

Can I see the Southern Lights in Australia tonight?
Look for aurora activity together with a dark, clear sky and an open southern horizon. Tasmania generally has better opportunities than much of the mainland, while stronger displays may reach farther north. Check the forecast for your own location before heading out; a national alert does not mean every part of Australia will see aurora.
Should I use a Tasmania forecast if I am on the mainland?
Use a forecast for your own location where available. The Cockle Creek, Hobart and Launceston cards help compare places within Tasmania; they do not describe mainland weather or viewing opportunities. If you are in Victoria or another state, check local clouds and the southern view where you actually plan to watch.
How strong does the aurora need to be in Australia?
It depends on where you are. Farther-south locations can have opportunities during activity that would be less useful farther north. Treat the local Kp range as a rough guide and check the Southern aurora map alongside it. Even strong activity still needs darkness and a clear view from your chosen spot.
Is it worth travelling south after an aurora alert?
First compare the weather and travel time for places you can realistically reach. A closer clear sky may be more useful than a distant southern spot under cloud. Check BOM weather and local access before leaving, and keep plans flexible because both cloud and aurora activity can change during the evening.
Will the Southern Lights look as colourful as the photos?
Not always. A camera can pick up faint colour that looks pale or grey to the eye. Choose a dark spot with a wide southern view and allow time for your eyes to adjust. City lights, moonlight and low cloud can all make a subtle display harder to notice.
How can Aurora Hunt help me catch the Southern Lights in Australia?
Use Aurora Hunt for local aurora forecasts, cloud maps and alerts on your phone, whether you are planning a Tasmanian night out or watching for a mainland opportunity. Keep conditions close at hand instead of refreshing several pages all evening. Download the app before the next promising forecast. Download Aurora Hunt

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Track Aurora Conditions in Australia

Track changes in aurora australis activity for Australia, then confirm local darkness, cloud and safe access before going outside.

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