Approximate thresholds for aurora low on the southern horizon, based on NOAA's relationship between Kp and the auroral oval. Dark clear skies and an open view south are assumed. Bands light up when tonight's forecast reaches them.
Current conditions
Kp index
–
…
global geomagnetic activity
Solar wind
– km/s
…
faster is better
Density
– p/cm³
…
more particles, more glow
Bz
– nT
…
the switch that lets the solar wind in — south (negative) is good
Live conditions unavailable right now — check NOAA Space Weather directly.
Next three nights, NZ time
Forecast Kp is the peak for each New Zealand night (6pm–6am), from NOAA's 3-day forecast. Bars show the 3-hourly steps through each night. Forecasts are probabilities, not promises — storms arrive early, late, or not at all.
Space weather from NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (updated every few minutes). Cloud from Open-Meteo. Visibility bands are approximate guides, not guarantees. A New Zealand tool by Newswire.