Abisko

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Abisko is widely regarded as one of the best places on the planet to see the Northern Lights. The tiny village sits directly beneath the auroral oval and benefits from a unique microclimate created by the surrounding mountains and nearby Lake Torneträsk. This combination breaks up cloud formations and produces remarkably clear skies, giving Abisko statistically more clear nights than almost anywhere else at this latitude.

The village is home to the Aurora Sky Station, a chairlift-accessed viewing platform at 900 metres on Mount Nuolja. The station offers unobstructed panoramic views of the sky and is one of the most celebrated aurora viewing spots in the world. Guided evening trips to the station are available throughout the season.

Abisko National Park, Sweden’s oldest, surrounds the village and offers outstanding hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The famous Kungsleden (King’s Trail) begins here, stretching over 400 km south through the Scandinavian mountains. Strict light pollution regulations in the area help keep the night sky truly dark.

Abisko is small and peaceful, with a handful of lodges and a hostel. Its neighbour Björkliden is just a few kilometres away, and Kiruna airport is roughly 100 km to the east, connected by rail and road.

Credit: Timmy Siik
Credit: Niklas Sagrén
Credit: Mathias Celis
Credit: Mathias Celis
Credit: Niklas Sagrén
Credit: Peter van der Meulen
Credit: Lucas Santos

How are my chances of seeing the aurora today?

Many factors contribute to your likelihood of viewing the aurora in Abisko. Geomagnetic activity, cloud cover and the amount of ambient light all play a big part. Check the forecasts for how good the viewing conditions are today.

There is a 4% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Abisko area (forecast for 9 October 2026 at 7:11am UTC)

Kp 3.33

The Kp-index is a scale used to measure geomagnetic activity. It ranges from 0 to 9, with higher values indicating greater geomagnetic activity.

0-2 (Very low) Far north, quite dim, and not very active.
3-5 (Moderate) Can be seen further south, with increased brightness and activity. Chance of good viewing conditions nearer the pole.
6-7 (High) Visible in many northern regions, with vibrant displays.
8-9 (Extreme) Widespread visibility, often seen in areas much further south than usual, with intense and colorful displays.

HPI 35 GW

The Hemispheric Power Index (HPI) is a vital measure used to assess the strength of auroral activity at the poles. It estimates the total auroral energy input, with values above 20 GW indicating an aurora-active state. When the HPI reaches levels of 100 GW or more, it signifies a very significant geomagnetic storm, which can lead to spectacular auroral displays.

Bz -4 nT

Bz refers to the north-south orientation of the magnetic field embedded in the solar wind. It is measured in nanoteslas (nT).

When Bz is negative (southward), it allows solar wind particles to penetrate the Earth’s magnetic field more easily. A strong negative Bz is often associated with increased chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

Conversely, when Bz is positive (northward), the Earth’s magnetic field tends to block the solar wind, resulting in reduced aurora activity.

Bt 6 nT

Bt measures the overall power of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) from the Sun; higher numbers (e.g., above 20 nT) mean more energy available for aurora.

Density 7.36 p/cm³

Solar wind density refers to the number of charged particles in a given volume of the solar wind, typically measured in particles per cubic centimetre (p/cm³).

A typical solar wind density is around 2.76 p/cm³.

The density of the solar wind affects how many particles reach the Earth’s magnetosphere. A higher density means more particles are available to interact with the Earth’s magnetic field. When these charged particles collide with the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, energy is released in the form of light that we see as the aurora.

Speed 356.0 km/s

Solar wind speed refers to the velocity at which charged particles are ejected from the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona.

A typical solar wind speed is about 375 km/s. When both speed and density are high, the energy transferred to the Earth’s magnetosphere increases, enhancing the chances of seeing vibrant auroras.

Moon

Waning crescent 8%

Sunrise 7:26am

Sunset 5:37pm

Moonrise 5:34am

Moonset 4:57pm

Clouds

-1°C Feels like -4°C

High: 3°C
Low: -2°C

Chance of precipitation 0%
Cloud cover 90%
North-Westerly winds 3 km/h gusts of 7 km/h

Aurora season in Abisko

The aurora season in Abisko runs from September to March. The best viewing conditions are in the peak months of October, February and March.

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Feb

Mar

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Oct

Nov

Dec

Peak viewing In season Off season

Book an amazing adventure in Abisko

Explore this selection of tours and activities to make the most of your visit to Abisko.

Free cancellation

Kiruna Northern Lights Tour with Photographer

5.0 (813)

4 - 6 hours From £90.72

After we pick you up from your hotel in Kiruna, we will start to chase the northern lights that depends on each night according to the weather conditions. We can drive to Abisko, Kiruna’s boreal forest or wherever we can find clear sky to see Aurora Borealis. Lights of Vikings have a really high success rate in finding clear sky which is one of the most important criteria to see the Northern Lights. Our concept is famous for driving long distances if necessary! Wherever we go during the tour, we will tell you many stories about the northern lights and Vikings. After finding clear sky, we’ll admire the northern lights and we will take pictures which we’ll send to you within 3 days after the tour. If you bring your own camera, we will help you set it up to get the best shots. As the northern lights dance in the sky we will serve hot drinks and make a camp fire for you to keep warm. After the northern lights tour, we will drive you back to Kiruna.
Free cancellation

Abisko Aurora Chase

4.9 (206)

4 hours From £77.26

Would you like to experience the thrill of searching for and chasing the northern lights in the area surrounding Abisko National Park? Your professional aurora chasing guide will use the experience of the Lights Over Lapland team, combined with local weather and aurora forecasts to make the best possible decision about where to look for the northern lights. During our evening together we will travel up to a maximum of 100 KM roundtrip to one of several spectacular locations with a proven track record and very high likelihood of success. During this adventure, your guide will talk about the auroras, the history of Abisko National Park and serve you a warm drink. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime aurora chasing expedition, which will allow you to use our experience and mobility to go to where the aurora activity is the highest, and where there weather gives us a good chance of success! Book your adventure today!
Snowmobile Aurora Expedition with dinner

4.7 (113)

5 hours From £170.45

Enjoy an experience-of-a-lifetime snowmobiling in the Swedish arctic while searching for the northern lights. You can share the driving with a friend, or upgrade to a single driver option! Drive through winding forests, along the frozen Torne River and across frozen lakes in search of the amazing northern lights. A traditional Lappish dinner and dessert will be served around an open fire in a forest hut and you will be given many opportunities to take photos during the tour. Come and join us on this exciting adventure!
Free cancellation Likely to sell out

Snowmobile Adventure in Lapland: Guided Tour from Kiruna

4.9 (9)

3 hours From £77.26

Explore the stunning winter landscapes of Lapland on a guided snowmobile adventure. Glide across frozen lakes and through snowy forests, learning about the region’s wildlife and traditions from experienced guides. This 2 to 2.5-hour tour includes safety briefings, driving instructions, and the chance to spot wildlife like moose and reindeer. Whether you drive your own snowmobile or ride in a sled, discover the calm beauty of the Arctic wilderness while creating lasting memories. Duration is 2 to 2.5 hours, with tours starting at 10:00 and 14:00. There is an option to drive your own snowmobile or ride in a sled. Guided tour includes safety briefing and driving instruction. Warm drinks and clothing provided for a comfortable experience. To drive, you must choose one of the following options: Drive Your Own or 2 People Driving. If you book a sled ride, please note that this option does not include driving.
Afternoon Snowmobile Tour

4.9 (28)

3 hours From £119.20

Spend the afternoon driving a snowmobile in Lapland! Share the driving with a friend, or upgrade to a single driver for an even more memorable experience. Journey through winding forest tracks, along the frozen Torne River and across frozen arctic lakes. Feel the fresh breeze in your face as you admire the wild nature surrounding you on this 3 hour tour.
Free cancellation

Sit Down Husky Ride Dog Sled Tour in Kiruna

5.0 (228)

2 hours 30 minutes From £147.15

We specialise in small groups and personal experiences with quality at the heart of everything we do. Our huskies are extremely friendly and good with children or nervous guests. Our equipment is of premium quality and you won't find our cake in the shops! But most of all, our dogs are the stars of this experience and by the end of the tour, we're sure you'll love them as much as we do.