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Northern Lights Forecast in Switzerland

Assess Switzerland’s rare aurora opportunities using Schaffhausen, Chasseral and Zürich. Check cloud, darkness and terrain before deciding whether a nearby northern view is worth a look.

Switzerland: tonight's viewing check

Compare Swiss Skies Before a Rare Aurora Watch

Schaffhausen, Chasseral and ZĂĽrich show northern, ridge and urban settings. Aurora is an unusual strong-storm opportunity in Switzerland. Check the actual northern view and weather rather than assuming elevation makes a location better.

Kp / G scale
Kp 0.7 · G0
Fresh
Observed 12 Oct, 12:00 UTC
IMF Bz
1.9 nT
Fresh
Northward · less favourable

Location-level decision bands

Compare the place you can actually reach

Northern HemisphereChecked 12 Oct, 17:18 UTC

Schaffhausen

Kp 7–9
Activity
Kp 0.7Below the local guideFresh
Local sky
2% cloudFresh
Darkness
Twilight — wait for a darker sky

Decision confidence: medium

How to read these numbers

AACGM-v2 magnetic latitude 42.5°N

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

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

Cloud · Fresh · cache refreshed 12 Oct, 16:55 UTC
MET Norway Locationforecast (cached by Aurora Hunt) ↗

Calculated solar altitude -6.5° · 12 Oct, 17:18 UTC

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

Check the live forecast for Schaffhausen

Chasseral

Kp 7–9
Activity
Kp 0.7Below the local guideFresh
Local sky
0% cloudFresh
Darkness
Twilight — wait for a darker sky

Decision confidence: medium

How to read these numbers

AACGM-v2 magnetic latitude 41.8°N

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

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

Cloud · Fresh · cache refreshed 12 Oct, 16:56 UTC
MET Norway Locationforecast (cached by Aurora Hunt) ↗

Calculated solar altitude -5.4° · 12 Oct, 17:18 UTC

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

Check the live forecast for Chasseral

ZĂĽrich

Kp 7–9
Activity
Kp 0.7Below the local guideFresh
Local sky
0% cloudFresh
Darkness
Twilight — wait for a darker sky

Decision confidence: medium

How to read these numbers

AACGM-v2 magnetic latitude 42.1°N

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

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

Cloud · Fresh · cache refreshed 12 Oct, 16:55 UTC
MET Norway Locationforecast (cached by Aurora Hunt) ↗

Calculated solar altitude -6.4° · 12 Oct, 17:18 UTC

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

Check the live forecast for ZĂĽrich

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

A mountain viewpoint does not change the geomagnetic activity needed at Swiss latitudes. The local Kp guide is approximate; cloud, urban glow and ridges can still prevent a useful view.

Solar wind / IMF Bz · Fresh · observed 12 Oct, 17:10 UTC

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

Check the local sky

Check MeteoSwiss for low cloud, fog and wind at the intended elevation. A valley forecast cannot tell you whether a ridge is safely clear or above cloud.

Where to look

Choose a dark, open northern horizon. Higher terrain can help some views but obstruct others; an accessible lower viewpoint may be the better choice.

Choose your next stop

Use the canton or nearest local forecast and confirm the viewing direction. Chasseral is a terrain reference, not a recommendation to drive or hike uphill after every storm alert.

Before you head out. Check road openings and mountain weather before leaving. Do not use an exposed summit or closed route just to escape valley light.

Find your local forecast in Switzerland

Aargau

1 locations
View region Explore →

Basel-City

1 locations
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Ticino

3 locations
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Bern

5 locations
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Romandie

13 locations
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Grisons

3 locations
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Fribourg

1 locations
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Geneva

1 locations
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Neuchâtel

2 locations
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Vaud

1 locations
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Lucerne

1 locations
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Schaffhausen

1 locations
View region Explore →

Valais

2 locations
View region Explore →

Solothurn

1 locations
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Saint Gallen

1 locations
View region Explore →

Zurich

2 locations
View region Explore →

Zug

1 locations
View region Explore →

27-Day Forecast

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Oct 13

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

Oct 14

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

Oct 15

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

Aurora forecast questions and answers

Can I see northern lights in Switzerland tonight?
Aurora is unusual in Switzerland and generally associated with strong geomagnetic activity. Check a current forecast, darkness and a clear northern view. Treat a storm notification as a reason to assess conditions, not as a promise that the lights will appear.
Which forecast should I use for Schaffhausen, Chasseral or ZĂĽrich?
Select the setting nearest your plans. Schaffhausen provides a northern reference, Chasseral a ridge location and ZĂĽrich an urban one. Their local weather and horizons differ, so none should stand in for a distant valley or mountain pass.
Should I go higher to improve the view?
Only if the weather, access and horizon make that sensible. Altitude does not create aurora, and an exposed ridge may have cloud or wind. Check MeteoSwiss at the relevant elevation and prefer a safe, reachable viewpoint over an improvised night climb.
What does the local Kp range mean in Switzerland?
It is a rough guide based on magnetic latitude, not a visibility probability. Stronger activity can make a watch more worthwhile, but clouds, mountain silhouettes and lighting still matter. Check those before making travel plans.
Will a Swiss aurora be obvious to the eye?
It may be faint and low toward the north, with colour more apparent in a camera. Give your eyes time to adapt and watch for movement or changing structure. Light reflected by valley cloud can produce a misleading glow.
How can Aurora Hunt help me follow Swiss aurora opportunities?
Keep Swiss forecasts, cloud maps and aurora alerts close at hand in Aurora Hunt. Follow places near home or your trip and compare the conditions before choosing a safe viewpoint. Download the app so your next sky check is ready. Download Aurora Hunt

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Track Aurora Conditions in Switzerland

Track changes in northern lights activity for Switzerland, then confirm local darkness, cloud and safe access before going outside.

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