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Aurora Australis Forecast in Tasmania

Compare current Aurora Australis conditions for southern, Hobart and northern Tasmania without reducing the region to a single Kp threshold.

Tasmania's regional decision

Current Aurora Australis Conditions Across Tasmania

Tasmania is Australia’s main practical Aurora Australis region, but conditions can still differ between the far south, Hobart and northern Tasmania. Compare current space weather with each location’s magnetic-latitude band, darkness and verified cloud state.

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

Location-level decision bands

Compare the place you can actually reach

Southern HemisphereChecked 14 Oct, 17:15 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 -21.9° · 14 Oct, 17:15 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 -22.0° · 14 Oct, 17:15 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 -23.0° · 14 Oct, 17:15 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 and planetary Kp describe regional activity. BOM Kaus, watches and alerts add Australian context; none is a local visibility probability.

Solar wind / IMF Bz · Fresh · observed 14 Oct, 17:08 UTC

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

Check the local sky

Low cloud, showers and coastal exposure can make one side of Tasmania unusable while another has a gap. Use the city rows as a comparison, not as interchangeable conditions.

Where to look

A clear south-facing horizon matters most for weak or distant activity. Cameras can reveal faint red structure before the eye, but cannot see through cloud.

Choose your next stop

Open Hobart or another city forecast for the local decision. Keep this page for regional comparison rather than treating every Tasmanian location as interchangeable.

How to read an Aurora Australis forecast

Forecast locations in Tasmania (24)

Adventure Bay

📍 43.4°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

Blackmans Bay

📍 43°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

Bruny Island

📍 43.3°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

Burnie

📍 41.1°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

Claremont

📍 42.8°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

Cockle Creek

📍 43.6°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

Devonport

📍 41.2°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

Glenorchy

📍 42.8°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

Hobart

📍 42.9°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

Howrah

📍 42.9°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

Kingston

📍 43°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

Launceston

📍 41.4°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

Lenah Valley

📍 42.9°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

Lindisfarne

📍 42.9°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

Moonah

📍 42.9°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

New Norfolk

📍 42.8°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

New Town

📍 42.9°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

Newnham

📍 41.4°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

Riverside

📍 41.4°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

Sandy Bay

📍 42.9°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

South Hobart

📍 42.9°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

Ulverstone

📍 41.2°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

West Hobart

📍 42.9°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

Wynyard

📍 41°S Geographic latitude
Local forecast and source state View Forecast →

Track Southern Lights in Tasmania

Download Aurora Hunt app for push alerts, live cloud maps, and 27-day forecasts for all 24 locations in Tasmania.

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

Where should I look for the Southern Lights in Tasmania tonight?
Compare the forecasts for Cockle Creek, Hobart and Launceston, then choose a practical spot with clear skies and a southern view. The farthest-south option is not always the best choice for the evening. A dark place you can reach easily may be more useful than a long drive under cloud.
Is Cockle Creek always better than Hobart or Launceston?
No. Its far-southern position can help, but cloud, access and travel time still matter. Check the weather for the place you would actually visit, not just the activity number. If Hobart or a spot nearer Launceston has a clearer southern horizon, staying closer may give you a better evening of watching.
What Kp level is worth watching in Tasmania?
Use the range for your nearest location as a guide rather than waiting for one number across the whole island. The cards account for differences between locations, but they cannot promise a sighting. A clear southern horizon and darkness are still essential, even when the activity looks strong.
When should I check the weather before heading out?
Check while planning, then again close to departure. Tasmania’s coastal and inland weather can differ, and a clear patch may move before you arrive. Use BOM’s local forecast alongside this page. If an update is delayed, check the weather directly before committing to a longer drive.
What makes a good aurora viewing spot in Tasmania?
Look for a dark, open southern horizon with safe public access. A view over water can help avoid hills or buildings blocking a low display, but you do not need an exposed or remote location. Check reserve access and weather before leaving, and choose somewhere you can comfortably visit after dark.
How can Aurora Hunt help me plan a Southern Lights night in Tasmania?
Bring local aurora forecasts, cloud maps and alerts with you in Aurora Hunt. Use the app to follow conditions around your plans, whether you are staying near Hobart or exploring elsewhere on the island. Download it before heading out so your next forecast check is already on your phone. Download Aurora Hunt

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Track Aurora Conditions in Tasmania

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

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