Skip to content
PhotoWeather

Aurora Intelligence - Smart Aurora Forecasting

Every aurora forecast app shows the same thing: Kp-index. “Kp 4 tonight!” Great. But you’re at 45°N latitude, it’s not even astronomical twilight yet, and cloud cover is at 80%. Should you drive two hours north?

The Kp-index measures geomagnetic activity, not photography viability. Aurora Intelligence combines NOAA forecasts with what actually matters: your latitude, local darkness, cloud cover, and viewing conditions. One score tells you if it’s worth going out.

How It Works

Section titled “How It Works”

Aurora Intelligence provides three fields you can use in rules and weather charts:

aurora_kp_predicted

Section titled “aurora_kp_predicted”

Raw Kp-index (0-10) from NOAA space weather forecasts. This measures geomagnetic activity but doesn’t account for your viewing conditions.

Range: 0-10 Source: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center

aurora_activity

Section titled “aurora_activity”

Normalized activity score (0-100%) that represents geomagnetic activity as a percentage. This is a normalized version of the Kp-index.

Range: 0-100%

aurora_quality (derived condition)

Section titled “aurora_quality (derived condition)”

Combines aurora activity with local viewing conditions to provide a photography readiness score. This is the most useful field for photographers.

What it considers:

  • Latitude - Auroras are visible farther south during strong storms
  • Darkness - Requires solar elevation below -6° (nautical twilight)
  • Cloud cover - Checks that clouds aren’t blocking the view (< 50% coverage)
  • Activity level - Uses NOAA forecasts for geomagnetic activity

Range: 0-100% quality score

Subscription requirement: Pro users can view aurora_quality forecasts on weather charts (like other derived conditions). All users can use it in rules and receive alerts.

Why This Beats Kp-Index Alone

Section titled “Why This Beats Kp-Index Alone”

Standard aurora forecasts: “Kp 5 storm tonight!” You check the sky, see nothing, go to bed confused.

What they don’t tell you:

  1. Your latitude matters - Kp 3 produces visible aurora at 65°N but likely nothing at 45°N. Kp 5 brings it south, but how far? Aurora Intelligence adjusts predictions based on where you actually are.

  2. Darkness is required - Kp 6 at 9 PM in summer at northern latitudes means nothing when the sun’s still up. The system verifies solar elevation is below -6° (nautical twilight minimum).

  3. Clouds ruin everything - Kp 7 storm with 90% cloud cover = missed aurora. The system checks that clouds aren’t blocking your view (requires under 50% coverage).

  4. One score, not four variables - Instead of cross-referencing Kp-index, solar elevation, cloud forecasts, and visibility yourself, you get one number: photography quality from 0-100%.

Quick Start: Aurora Borealis Hunt Template

Section titled “Quick Start: Aurora Borealis Hunt Template”

The easiest way to get aurora alerts is using the built-in template:

  1. Navigate to Rules → Templates
  2. Select “Aurora Borealis Hunt”
  3. Choose your northern locations (or southern locations for Aurora Australis)
  4. Save the rule

You’ll receive notifications when aurora photography conditions are favorable at your selected locations.

Coverage

Section titled “Coverage”

Aurora Intelligence works for both:

  • Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) - Northern hemisphere
  • Southern Lights (Aurora Australis) - Southern hemisphere

The system automatically adjusts for your hemisphere and latitude.

Directional Intelligence (Plus/Pro)

Section titled “Directional Intelligence (Plus/Pro)”

Plus and Pro subscribers benefit from enhanced cloud cover analysis using directional weather intelligence. Instead of checking only overhead cloud cover, the system evaluates cloud coverage across the entire sky dome.

Since auroras appear in specific directions based on your latitude and geomagnetic activity, knowing cloud cover in those directions provides more accurate predictions.

Learn more: Directional Weather Intelligence

Subscription Requirements

Section titled “Subscription Requirements”

Available to all users for rule creation and alerts.

Pro subscribers can view aurora_quality forecasts on weather charts (along with other derived conditions).

Plus/Pro subscribers get enhanced directional cloud analysis.

Example Rules

Section titled “Example Rules”

Basic Aurora Alert

Section titled “Basic Aurora Alert”

Alert when aurora quality exceeds 60%:

aurora_quality > 60

High-Activity Alert

Section titled “High-Activity Alert”

Alert only during strong geomagnetic activity (Kp ≥ 5):

aurora_kp_predicted >= 5
AND aurora_quality > 50

Extended Darkness Window

Section titled “Extended Darkness Window”

Alert when aurora quality is good and darkness lasts several hours:

aurora_quality > 60
AND solar_elevation < -12

(Solar elevation below -12° indicates astronomical twilight—darker skies for better aurora visibility)

Next Steps

Section titled “Next Steps”