Skip to content
✨ New: PhotoWeather is now available on iOS and Android
Rule Northern Lights

Delta Junction - Northern Lights - Alaska

Delta Junction, Alaska, United States

Northern Lights photography conditions - combines aurora activity levels with clear skies and proper darkness for optimal viewing.

Currently

Real-time conditions
Kp IndexKp 3 (Quiet)
Sun Elevation31.0° (Daylight)
Cloud Cover81%

Upcoming Opportunities

When all conditions match, PhotoWeather marks an opportunity window.

Times shown in America/Anchorage
aurora weather icon
Next opportunity
Excellent Chance of Aurora
Delta Junction
Thu, Apr 30 · 24:00–04:00 · 4h window
Low confidence
31%
🌌Aurora Quality83-91.2%
Kp Index: Kp 5 (Minor Storm)
Sun Elevation: -8.8° (Nautical twilight)
Cloud Cover: 5%

What this forecast looks for

Plain-language explanation from the rule

This forecast answers the question every aurora photographer asks: "Can I actually see the aurora tonight?" Unlike simple Kp forecasts, we combine NOAA's OVATION aurora model with real-time cloud cover, visibility, and darkness data to predict true viewing conditions.

Alaska's interior sits directly under the auroral oval, making it one of the world's most reliable aurora viewing destinations. Fairbanks, in particular, experiences aurora activity on roughly 240 nights per year—more than almost anywhere else accessible by road.

What makes Alaska special for aurora photography:

  • Auroral oval position - Fairbanks sits at the ideal 65°N latitude, directly under the oval's typical position
  • Extreme darkness - Winter nights can last 18+ hours, maximizing viewing opportunities
  • Dramatic foregrounds - Snow-covered mountains, frozen rivers, and boreal forests create stunning compositions
  • Research heritage - The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute provides world-class aurora forecasting

Best conditions typically occur September through March, with peak activity during the equinox months. The interior's continental climate means clearer skies than coastal areas, though temperatures can plunge well below -30°C. Dress accordingly and keep camera batteries warm.

Create your own Northern Lights alerts

Get notified when these conditions match at your own locations.

Get this template

72-hour requirements breakdown

What passed or failed, hour by hour
0matching hours in the next 95 hours
AND logic: all conditions required
Meets requirement
Misses requirement
Time
America/Anchorage
Aurora Quality
≥ 50.0%
Solar Elevation
≤ -8.0°
Aurora Activity
≥ 50.0%
Total Cloud Coverage
≤ 30.0%
Visibility
≥ 8000.0m
Mon, Apr 20
11:000%31°20%100%1053m
12:000%35°20%100%5760m
13:000%37°15%100%20420m
14:000%38°15%100%21275m
15:000%36°15%100%20198m
16:000%32°26%100%3749m
17:000%28°27%100%1334m
18:000%22°30%100%1181m
19:000%15°50%100%19713m
20:000%8.8°52%99%21448m
21:000%2.6°51%98%21968m
22:000%-3.2°37%97%24135m
23:000%-8.1°30%35%24134m
Tue, Apr 21
24:000%-12°31%98%24135m
01:000%-14°30%100%24135m
02:000%-14°35%100%24134m
03:000%-13°38%98%24135m
04:000%-9.5°73%94%24135m
05:000%-5.2°75%100%24134m
06:000%0.63°74%100%24134m
07:000%6.4°45%100%24134m
08:000%13°43%96%24134m
09:000%19°40%100%24135m
10:000%26°20%100%24134m
11:000%31°20%81%23505m
12:000%35°20%97%19924m
13:000%38°11%100%773m
14:000%38°11%100%1410m
15:000%36°11%100%3375m
16:000%33°15%100%1345m
17:000%28°15%100%657m
18:000%22°15%100%744m
19:000%16°7.5%100%883m
20:000%7.5%100%636m
21:000%2.9°7.5%100%1646m
22:000%-2.9°11%88%5524m
23:000%-7.7°11%72%14561m
Wed, Apr 22
24:000%-11°11%79%9791m
01:000%-13°7.5%100%11439m
02:000%-14°7.5%100%7695m
03:000%-12°7.5%100%14047m
04:000%-9.2°7.5%100%13501m
05:000%-4.8°7.5%100%15749m
06:000%0.92°7.5%100%12682m
07:000%6.7°11%100%23147m
08:000%13°11%100%24135m
09:000%20°11%100%24134m
10:000%26°7.5%99%24134m
11:000%31°7.5%96%24134m
12:000%35°7.5%90%24134m
13:000%38°7.5%84%24135m
14:000%38°7.5%78%24135m
15:000%37°7.5%32%24135m
16:000%33°4.9%55%24134m
17:000%28°4.9%47%24135m
18:000%22°4.9%5%24135m
19:000%16°2.9%27%24135m
20:000%9.3°2.9%100%24135m
21:000%3.2°2.9%100%24135m
22:000%-2.6°2.9%100%24135m
23:000%-7.4°2.9%100%24135m
Thu, Apr 23
24:000%-11°2.9%100%24134m
01:000%-13°2.9%100%24135m
02:000%-13°2.9%100%24135m
03:000%-12°2.9%99%24135m
04:000%-8.9°2.9%100%24134m
05:000%-4.5°2.9%100%24135m
06:000%1.2°2.9%70%24135m
07:000%7.1°2.9%77%24134m
08:000%14°2.9%100%24135m
09:000%20°2.9%100%24134m
10:000%26°4.9%87%24134m
11:000%32°4.9%95%24134m
12:000%36°4.9%49%24134m
13:000%38°4.9%13%24134m
14:000%39°4.9%36%24135m
15:000%37°4.9%85%24135m
16:000%33°20%60%24135m
17:000%28°20%73%24135m
18:000%22°20%87%24135m
19:000%16°20%100%24135m
20:000%9.6°20%100%24135m
21:000%3.4°20%100%24135m
22:000%-2.3°20%100%24135m
23:000%-7.1°20%100%24135m
Fri, Apr 24
24:000%-11°20%100%24135m
01:000%-13°20%100%24135m
02:000%-13°20%68%24135m
03:0030%-12°20%36%24135m
04:0032%-8.5°20%3.5%24135m
05:000%-4.2°20%3.4%24135m
06:000%1.5°20%3.4%24135m
07:000%7.4°20%3.3%24135m
08:000%14°20%2.2%24135m
09:000%20°20%1.2%24135m
How to read: colored cells show whether each predicate requirement is met; highlighted rows mean the full rule matched (an opportunity).

Get Notified of Opportunities

Create your own custom alerts for this location and more.

Create Free Account