Aurora Quality
Combines aurora activity with viewing conditions (darkness, cloud cover, visibility) to provide photography-ready aurora quality scores. Aurora activity is OVATION-aware from the compute step.
What is Aurora Quality?
Technical detailsAurora Quality evaluates the complete photography readiness of aurora conditions by combining geomagnetic activity with critical viewing factors including darkness, cloud cover, and visibility. Unlike raw Kp index or activity predictions alone, this score accounts for whether the aurora will actually be visible and photographable at your location. The algorithm integrates OVATION probability data for Pro users, solar elevation to ensure sufficient darkness, and real-time cloud cover to filter out conditions where auroras would be obscured.
Templates using this field
Related rule templatesPhotography tip
How to use this conditionCombines aurora activity with viewing conditions for photography-ready scores. Best results during astronomical twilight (solar elevation < -12°) with clear skies (<10% cloud cover). Overhead aurora (85+) provides strongest displays directly above, horizon aurora (60-75) appears on northern horizon. Plus/Pro users get sky probe enhancement for all-bearing cloud sampling.
Aurora Quality in photography
In depthAurora Quality is PhotoWeather's comprehensive metric for aurora photography readiness, designed specifically for photographers who need to know not just if an aurora is predicted, but whether they'll actually be able to photograph it. The northern lights require specific conditions to be photographable: geomagnetic activity strong enough to produce visible auroras, sufficient darkness for the display to stand out, clear skies so clouds don't obscure the show, and good visibility for capturing detail and color.
Traditional aurora forecasts provide only the Kp index or activity level, leaving photographers to manually cross-reference darkness, weather, and cloud forecasts. PhotoWeather's Aurora Quality score solves this by computing a single 0-100% value that represents true photographic opportunity. The algorithm combines aurora activity predictions with solar elevation (penalizing twilight when skies aren't dark enough), cloud cover (reducing scores when overcast conditions would block the view), and visibility data.
For Plus and Pro users, the system enhances accuracy by sampling cloud cover across all sky directions, ensuring you know if any part of the horizon is clear for aurora viewing. Pro tier users also benefit from OVATION probability integration, which provides higher-resolution aurora forecasts than Kp alone. Scores above 85% indicate exceptional conditions with strong activity and clear dark skies overhead, while scores of 60-75% suggest horizon auroras or good activity with some cloud interference. Photographers typically set thresholds of 70% or higher to receive notifications only when conditions are truly favorable, filtering out marginal situations where auroras might be technically present but not worth the trip. This derived field is essential for aurora chasers who need reliable, actionable forecasts that account for the complete photographic scenario.
Frequently asked questions
Common questionsWhat is Aurora Quality?
Aurora Quality evaluates the complete photography readiness of aurora conditions by combining geomagnetic activity with critical viewing factors including darkness, cloud cover, and visibility. Unlike raw Kp index or activity predictions alone, this score accounts for whether the aurora will actually be visible and photographable at your location. The algorithm integrates OVATION probability data for Pro users, solar elevation to ensure sufficient darkness, and real-time cloud cover to filter out conditions where auroras would be obscured.
How does Aurora Quality affect photography?
Combines aurora activity with viewing conditions for photography-ready scores. Best results during astronomical twilight (solar elevation < -12°) with clear skies (<10% cloud cover). Overhead aurora (85+) provides strongest displays directly above, horizon aurora (60-75) appears on northern horizon. Plus/Pro users get sky probe enhancement for all-bearing cloud sampling.
What values are typical for Aurora Quality?
Aurora Quality typically ranges from 0.0% to 100.0%. PhotoWeather monitors these values to help you identify ideal conditions for your photography goals.
How is Aurora Quality calculated?
Aurora Quality is an advanced derived condition calculated from multiple weather parameters including Aurora Activity, Aurora Category, Total Cloud Coverage, Solar Elevation, Visibility. PhotoWeather's algorithms analyze these factors to provide a single, easy-to-understand score for this photography opportunity.
Typical values
Value rangeRelated fields
Similar weather conditionsBlue Hour Quality
Evaluates atmospheric conditions for blue hour photography quality. Scores sky clarity, cloud type suitability (high thin clouds ideal), visibility, and calm conditions.
Fiery Red Sky Potential
Atmospheric suitability for fiery red sky conditions across extended time window around sunrise/sunset periods. Enhanced with CAMS aerosol data (AOD, particle composition, Ångström exponent) and GFS upper-air humidity for improved color prediction.
Fog Probability
Multi-factor fog formation likelihood combining visibility, dewpoint spread, humidity, and time-of-day analysis
Golden Hour Potential
Atmospheric suitability for golden hour photography across extended time window around golden hour periods
Golden Clouds Potential
Cloud formation suitability for golden hour photography across extended time window around golden hour periods
Cloud Drama Score
Analysis of cloud formations and atmospheric conditions for dramatic sky photography
Storm Intensity
Storm intensity analysis combining precipitation, wind conditions, atmospheric pressure, visibility, GFS simulated radar reflectivity, and wind shear for enhanced storm organization detection.
Frost Probability
Frost formation probability combining temperature, dewpoint spread, cloud cover, and wind analysis
Rainbow Probability
Probability of visible rainbow formation based on solar geometry and precipitation patterns
Coastal Drama Score
Analysis of coastal conditions combining wave dynamics, atmospheric conditions, and lighting for dramatic seascape photography. Evaluates wave height, swell patterns, spray potential, and atmospheric drama factors.
Atmospheric Clarity Score
Comprehensive atmospheric clarity analysis for landscape and astrophotography using CAMS aerosol optical depth, particle composition (dust, smoke, sea salt), particle size distribution (Ångström exponent), and visibility conditions.
Light Breakthrough Potential
Likelihood of sun breaking through clouds creating dramatic rays and dappled light patterns. Best with partial cloud cover (40-70%) and some sunshine reaching the surface.
Soft Light Index
Quality of diffused light for portrait and product photography. High scores indicate soft, even lighting that minimizes harsh shadows - the 'giant softbox' effect.
Cloud Texture Score
Rates how visually interesting the clouds are - distinguishing dramatic formations from boring flat overcast. High scores indicate structured clouds with good light transmission.
Overcast Flatness
How flat and boring the overcast is. HIGH scores indicate uniform gray sky with no breaks or texture - generally unfavorable for most photography. LOW scores indicate breaks, texture, or clearing.
Aurora Kp Index
Predicted aurora Kp index for geomagnetic activity
OVATION Aurora Probability
Real-time NOAA OVATION Prime satellite aurora probability (0-100%). Available for near-term forecasts only (0-2 hours).
Solar Elevation
Sun's angle above horizon (0° = horizon, 90° = zenith)
Total Cloud Coverage
Overall cloud coverage across all altitudes
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