Alta : Seek The Aurora

Alta

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Alta. The name itself conjures images of snow-dusted landscapes, midnight skies ablaze with the ethereal green of the aurora borealis, and the crisp, invigorating air of the Arctic. This charming town nestled in northern Norway is a haven for aurora hunters.

Alta is more than just a place to see the northern lights. It’s a gateway to the Sami culture, with its rich history and traditions. You can visit the Alta Museum and learn about the Sami way of life, and even try your hand at snowshoeing or dog sledding.

How are my chances of seeing the aurora today?

55%

There is a 55% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Alta area (forecast for 12 June 2025 at 11:59pm UTC)

Kp 5.33

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.

Bz -11 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 auroral activity.

Density 9.36 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 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 445.6 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.

Clouds

6°C Feels like 5°C

High: 14°C
Low: 6°C

Precipitation: 0%
Cloud cover: 68%
Wind: 8 km/h

Moon

Waning gibbous

Sun rises at: N/A
Sun sets at: N/A

Book an amazing adventure in Alta

Free cancellation

Northern Lights tour with Alta Adventure

4.6 (96)

4 hours From £157.85

We offer a tour for a small group to enjoy togetherness and excitement while hunting for Northern Lights in the beautiful landscapes of the Altafjord. We arrange organized guided tours since 2007 and have the knowledge about how to find the Northern Lights if the conditions are there. On our tours you normally will have 80-90 % chance of seeing this spectacular view. Each tour is different, as we focus on finding the optimal place with the greatest chance of seeing the lights. We therefore sometimes have to drive quite far to find them, while sometimes we find them in the surrounding area. Necessary driving distance decide whether we establish a camp with a fire, or whether we serve hot chocolate and snacks at one of our short stops. While enjoying the great outdoors, we will share with you local stories about Norwegian way of living, local history from the Stone Age, Sami culture, reindeer-herding, 2nd World War and the modern society in Alta. We are normally back just over midnight.
Free cancellation

Alta to North Cape Day Tour

5.0 (3)

11 hours From £375.82

Traveling to Nordkapp has always been a great journey. Adventurers, royalty, and expeditions have set the mountain plateau as their goal. Today boats, planes, and buses make this legendary place a popular destination. The journey to the North Cape from Alta will be especially legendary because we can see many interesting places along the way. Drive along the Goahtemuorjohka River, enjoy beautiful views. Go through Olderfjord, make a stop at Nordkapp Picnic Area, go through the North Cape Tunnel, and visit Honningsvog one of the northern settlements on Earth. We hope Nordkapp also becomes your journey. It will bring you to the end of a continent - and to the beginning of an adventure! We invite you to explore it today! Our journey begins at 8:00, and 10:00 we have a break stop. We arrive in the North Cape around 12:00. Then you can spend 2 hours sightseeing, leaving at 14:00 and returning around 18:00-20:00. We can cancel our trip because of the weather but this happens very rarely.
Free cancellation

Sleigh or wagon ride in the arctic Country side

5.0 (25)

3 hours From £165.36

rctic countryside at a slower pace. Flatmoen Gård is the perfect spot to learn more about farm life in Northern Norway, and to connect to nature in a horse-drawn sleigh. Explore the Alta River valley with your friendly local hosts, and then take a break for delightful northern-Norwegian snacks, hot drinks and good conversation. We will even bring you here from Alta city center and back
Free cancellation Private tour

Snowmobile or UTV Safari in centrum of Alta city. close to harbor

5.0 (1)

4 hours From £165.36

On this trip all the guest will be seen and taken care of under the visiting. We take them with us on a trip in the forestry to see how we do the forestry. we show them the forestry machine we use and let the tray it. We drive around in the Forestry with snowmobile and Utv and the gest will get the opportunity to drive the snowmobile.We have fire pit to warm up the gest and grill some food on. Warm clothes the guest must have with them self. The guest will get an opportunity to test their skills to throw axe. And maybe we se the moose in the forestry.
Free cancellation

Alta's most iconic sights.

No reviews

6 hours From £250.30

Alta Museum - World Heritage Center for Rock carvings The rock art in Alta is one of eight Norwegian must-see attractions enlisted on the UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Alta’s World Heritage consists of rock carvings and rock paintings, the oldest more than 7000 years old. The rock art was created over a period of 5000 years. Cathedral of The Northern Lights. One of the most beautiful churches in the city of Alta, during the construction and design of the church the northern lights were a source of inspiration. House of Salmon. Here you get an insight into one of the world’s most sustainable large-scale food productions and one of Norway’s most important industries – aquaculture and salmon farming. Learn about Norwegian fish farming through interactive activities in our center.
Free cancellation

Alta: 2 Hours Guided Adventure Cruise in Alta Fjord

5.0 (7)

2 hours From £89.45

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the enchanting Alta Fjord, where nature, history, and wildlife come together in a truly immersive experience. Enjoy captivating birdwatching and encounters with diverse wildlife, and if you're lucky, catch a glimpse of playful dolphins along the way. Discover the rich history of the region, from its vibrant past and historic mining legacy to its role during World War II. Leave behind the stresses of everyday life as you embrace the tranquility of nature, the excitement of wildlife encounters, and the beauty of the fjord’s breathtaking scenery.