Aurora Alerts


Aurora Alerts: forecasts, news and a quick start to the radar


Aurora alerts are my “newsroom” about space weather: solar flares, CME/HSS, changes in the solar wind and what this really means for observing the aurora borealis. I post briefly and to the point: whether it’s worth going out today, for which regions in Poland, and what to check first.

Note: This page is an archive of aurora alerts (news). If you want to check the “live” situation, go to the Northern Lights in Poland Live (check now) or the radar for all locations.

If you arrived here from a notification/share: scroll to the “Latest alerts” section. And if you want to check the situation “here and now”, use the Quick start below.

Aurora borealis over Poland – night sky and green bands on the northern horizon

Quick start: Poland radar, locations and live parameters


How to read an “aurora alert” (in 60 seconds)

An alert is a signal that conditions may be favorable for the aurora — but visibility in Poland always also depends on clouds, dark skies, and whether the “window” of activity falls during the nighttime hours.

  • Step 1: check Northern Lights in Poland Live (check now) (oval + situation preview).
  • Step 2: glance at the live parameters (especially Bz and the “stability” of conditions) — a quick explainer is here: live parameters (how to read them).
  • Step 3: check the cloud cover and clear spells in your area.
  • Step 4: if conditions look sensible — go to a dark location with an unobstructed northern horizon (urban glow can “kill” even good activity).

If you want to dive deeper into the basics: see the explanation of how the Northern Lights form and (for practical interpretation) what the live parameters mean for visibility. If you’re curious about other night-sky topics too, see Northern Lights and other phenomena.


Latest aurora alerts: news and quick decisions for today

Below you have an automatic list of the latest posts from the Northern Lights section (including alerts and updates). Each entry points you to the radar and helps you decide whether it’s really worth hunting in Poland.

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Sources of space weather data and how I verify them

In the alerts, I rely on trusted “operational” sources for space weather (NOAA/SWPC and SWPC services). If a major change appears (e.g., a confirmed CME or an increase in storm level), I make an update within the given alert.


FAQ: frequently asked questions about aurora alerts and radar

What does an “aurora alert” mean and does it guarantee an aurora in Poland?

An aurora alert is a signal that geomagnetic conditions may be favorable for the aurora. It is not a guarantee of visibility in Poland — clouds, city glow, and whether the activity falls during nighttime hours often decide.

Which parameters are most important when hunting for the aurora in Poland?

Usually, it’s a combination: stable solar wind conditions + favorable magnetic field orientation (Bz) and whether the auroral oval “descends” lower. In practice, you can assess this fastest in the Poland radar and on the live forecast & parameters page.

Why is there sometimes “high activity”, but nothing is visible in Poland?

The most common reasons are cloud cover, city glow and bright skies, as well as a short “window” of activity that falls outside of the night. It also happens that activity is stronger at higher latitudes, and only a faint glow remains in Poland.

How can I check the chance for an aurora “right now” the fastest?

Go to the Poland radar, check the oval and current parameters, then immediately verify the cloud cover in your area. If there are clear spells, go to a dark location with an unobstructed northern horizon.

Where in Poland is it usually best to try observing?

Usually, the north of the country and locations with dark skies, far from city lights, with a view to the north, work best. Even in good conditions, urban glow can obscure a weaker aurora.

How can I subscribe to aurora updates?

You can add the RSS feed of the Northern Lights section to a reader (or simply revisit this page). New posts appear automatically in the “Latest alerts” section.

Read also / next

If you want to go from news to a quick “check now”, these pages usually handle the topic most quickly:

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