Northern lights in Lofoten

Tonight’s aurora forecast for Lofoten, where to watch, and when the sky is usually clear.

The night of Monday 2 November, Lofoten time (CET)

Wait for a clearer sky

Clouds are still passing through. Check again later.

Best chance if it clears: Hauklandstranda · 76 min drive

  • CloudCloudyAverage cloud cover 77% after dark
  • AuroraModerate activityKp 2 forecast at its highest
  • DarknessDark from 17:00Until 06:00
  • MoonRises around 23:0041% lit · brighter after

Medium confidence · Forecast data up to date · What this means

Forecast details
  • Cloud forecast updated 16:31
  • Aurora forecast issued 13:30
  • Recalculated by Little Aurora 17:45
  • This page made 17:49

Lofoten time. The sources’ times say how fresh the forecast is; the page’s own time doesn’t. What these mean

Where to watch near Lofoten

Eggum

Coast

Tonight: wait for a clearer sky

Remote coastal spot facing open water, with little artificial light.

Getting there
66 min drive
Darkness
Very dark: far from town lights
In winter
The road may be narrow or icy.
Good to know
Parking and private areas may be subject to local rules.
Safety
Coastal weather can change quickly; bring warm clothing, food, a charged phone and a torch. Below steep slopes: check the avalanche forecast before you go.

Directions in Maps · Public sources, not yet visited

Gimsøy kirke

Viewpoint

Tonight: wait for a clearer sky

Church on flat, open Gimsøy, an island with very little light pollution; a regular aurora photo stop.

Getting there
39 min drive
Darkness
Very dark: far from town lights
Safety
Below steep slopes: check the avalanche forecast before you go.

Directions in Maps · Public sources, not yet visited

Hauklandstranda

Coast

Tonight: wait for a clearer sky

Beach next to Uttakleiv with a clear western horizon; best when a strong aurora spreads west.

Getting there
76 min drive
Darkness
Very dark: far from town lights
Good to know
The view faces west and south-west, and the mountain Mannen partly hides the horizon.
Safety
Wind and ice can be serious in winter; don't rush between Haukland and Uttakleiv on slippery roads. Below steep slopes: check the avalanche forecast before you go.

Directions in Maps · Public sources, not yet visited

Hov

Coast

Tonight: wait for a clearer sky

Beach area on Gimsøy with wide, open skies and few town lights.

Getting there
44 min drive
Darkness
Very dark: far from town lights
Good to know
Don't block local access when parking.
Safety
The island is exposed: check wind and road conditions, and don't stop anywhere unsafe.

Directions in Maps · Public sources, not yet visited

Uttakleivstranda

Coast

Tonight: wait for a clearer sky

North-facing beach with little light pollution and a clear northern horizon; good for weak to medium aurora.

Getting there
81 min drive
Darkness
Very dark: far from town lights
Parking
You can wait in your car. Park considerately and respect local restrictions.
In winter
Space and road conditions can be limited in winter.
Good to know
Mountains ring the beach from west to east, so a strong aurora can move out of view.
Safety
Below steep slopes: check the avalanche forecast before you go.

Directions in Maps · Public sources, not yet visited

Vinje

Coast

Tonight: wait for a clearer sky

Beach at Vinje on Gimsøy, an island with practically no light pollution.

Getting there
39 min drive
Darkness
Very dark: far from town lights

Directions in Maps · Public sources, not yet visited

Times are typical, from the centre of Lofoten by road or path rather than in a straight line, and winter conditions can make them longer. Walking times don’t mean a route is lit or safe on foot in winter; check each spot’s notes.

Clear dark nights by month

  • 26% Jan
  • 25% Feb
  • 25% Mar
  • 21% Apr
  • – May
  • – Jun
  • – Jul
  • 14% Aug
  • 19% Sep
  • 24% Oct
  • 26% Nov
  • 27% Dec

The share of nights with at least two dark hours under 30% cloud cover, averaged by month over 1996–2025. It describes cloud, not aurora: a clear night still needs activity. A dash means no record for that month, usually because it doesn’t get dark. About this record

Questions

When is the best time to see the northern lights in Lofoten?

In the dark months. Over 1996–2025, a clear spell after dark was likeliest in December and January, on about 27% of nights. That record is about cloud only: on any one night, the cloud and the activity forecast matter more than the season, so check on the day.

Where can you see the northern lights near Lofoten?

This page lists 6 viewing spots near Lofoten; the darkest is Eggum (66 min drive). Each has how to get there, parking, winter access and safety notes. Little Aurora picks the best one each night from cloud and darkness.

Aurora data from NOAA and GFZ. Cloud forecasts from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Places and travel times from OpenStreetMap contributors. Usual cloud from Copernicus ERA5 and weather-station records from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet, SMHI and the Icelandic Met Office. Forecasts are never guaranteed; conditions can change quickly. How the forecast works