Panorama Cafe : Abisko : Seek The Aurora

Abisko

Home / Abisko

Abisko has a reputation as the "Aurora Capital of the World" it sits directly under the "Aurora Oval", the region where the northern lights are most active. The village is blessed with a unique microclimate that creates exceptionally clear skies, minimizing cloud cover and maximizing your chances of seeing the lights. Abisko also has strict light pollution regulations, helping to ensure that the night sky is truly dark, enhancing the brilliance of the aurora.

Abisko is also home to the Aurora Sky Station this incredible viewing platform offers panoramic views of the sky and is a prime spot to catch the show.

Aurora season is between late September and early April, with the peak viewing in February and March.

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.

7%

There is a 7% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Abisko area (forecast for 13 December 2025 at 3:54pm UTC)

Kp 2.67

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.

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.

Density 1.75 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 centimeter (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 629.3 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 40%

Sunrise N/A

Sunset N/A

Moonrise 1:04am

Moonset 11:46am

Snow

-9°C Feels like -15°C

High: -7°C
Low: -11°C

Chance of precipitation 79%
Cloud cover 100%
South-Easterly winds 5 km/h gusts of 7 km/h
Snow 1 mm

Book an amazing adventure in Abisko

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

Free cancellation

Sunrise Zen Husky Tour (10:00 to 13:00 - sitting on the sled)

5.0 (99)

3 hours From £190.22

If you are interested in dogs, you will love being here at Snowdog. We have an amazing bunch of super friendly canines. Oh, of course, we have a big bunch of superhero puppies you may wish to meet? We will tell you about Lapland, dog sledding and of course the resident Hero's - our dogs.
Free cancellation

Kiruna Northern Lights Tour with Photographer

5.0 (604)

4 - 6 hours From £165.58

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

Sit Down Husky Ride Dog Sled Tour in Kiruna

5.0 (202)

2 hours 30 minutes From £142.67

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.
Free cancellation

Arctic Afternoon Eco Experience (14:00-17:00- driving the sled)

5.0 (6)

3 hours From £243.98

Embark on an unforgettable adventure with Snowdog The Arctic Adventure Co., ranked No.1 on TripAdvisor in Kiruna. Our dog sledding tours offer a perfect blend of excitement and tranquility as you glide through the pristine Arctic landscape. Guests rave about the professionalism of our guides, who not only ensure safety but also share fascinating insights about the region and its traditions. Interact with our team of well-cared-for, eager sled dogs—often described as the heart and soul of the experience. Reviewers frequently highlight the seamless logistics, personal touch, and breathtaking scenery. Whether you’re chasing the northern lights or soaking in a polar sunrise, our tours provide once-in-a-lifetime memories for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike. Experience why so many travelers call their time with us “life-changing”!
Free cancellation

Full-Day Reindeer Tour with Pickup in Kiruna

4.8 (83)

7 hours From £222.89

Here at the heart of Sápmi you can become a reindeer herder for a day. You can ride a reindeer sleigh alone in the winter landscape, feed the reindeer and eat delicious food. You are invited to be a part of the real life of the Sámi people. A professional reindeer herder will introduce you to his reindeer herd in his native environment. We are a reindeer herding family in Swedish lapland. We live and operate in the northern Sweden, middle of the Torneträsk-Soppero primeval forest which is located north of Kiruna city. We are an indigenous people in Europe and the Nordic countries. The area that has historically been inhabited by our ancestors for generations is called Sápmi and includes northern part of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. Our goal for you is to have a genuine experience with us, in our everyday life.
Free cancellation

Polar Sunrise Eco Experience (10:00-13:00- driving the sled)

5.0 (5)

3 hours From £243.98

Embark on an unforgettable adventure with our dog sledding tours offer a perfect blend of excitement and tranquility as you glide through the pristine Arctic landscape. Guests rave about the professionalism of our guides, who not only ensure safety but also share fascinating insights about the region and its traditions. Interact with our team of well-cared-for, eager sled dogs—often described as the heart and soul of the experience. Reviewers frequently highlight the seamless logistics, personal touch, and breathtaking scenery. Whether you’re chasing the northern lights or soaking in a polar sunrise, our tours provide once-in-a-lifetime memories for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike. Experience why so many travelers call their time with us “life-changing”!