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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?

3%

There is a 3% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Alta area (forecast for 2 August 2025 at 3:26pm UTC)

Kp 1.33

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 2 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 1.82 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 459.8 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

24°C Feels like 23°C

High: 24°C
Low: 14°C

Precipitation: 69%
Cloud cover: 95%
Wind: 8 km/h

Moon

Waxing gibbous

Sun rises at: 2:04am
Sun sets at: 11:01pm

Book an amazing adventure in Alta

Free cancellation

Northern Lights tour with Alta Adventure

4.6 (96)

4 hours From £158.10

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 (4)

11 hours From £399.02

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 Private tour

Privat sled trip with husky in the alta valley

5.0 (69)

2 hours 30 minutes From £293.62

We are a small kennel who is passionate about huskies and we love to share this passion with travellers from all over the world. we normally take up to 4 people at the time so we can offer you a personal and unique experience. During the winter time, you might also experience the Northern Lights during the trip if you are lucky! Remember the photo camera dogs love to be photographed, the dogs are very happy when guests arrive so be ready to take pictures and very important warm lingerie to yourself and good mode
Free cancellation

Northern Lights Adventure By Snowmobile

4.9 (30)

4 hours From £237.15

The highlight of any trip above the arctic circle: experiencing the magical northern lights dance across the sky. The mystery of light has given us many myths and legends over the years. Everything from heroes who lit up the sky to mysterious fire foxes and warnings of danger. The dry and stable climate in Alta provides the best conditions for seeing the Northern Lights. On this trip we combine the excitement of snowmobiling with experiencing the northern lights dancing across the sky. We take you along the old postal road up to the very edge of Finnmarksvidda to a mountain range called Beskardes. Far away from the lights of the city this trip provides the ideal conditions to see the northern lights in a beautiful winter landscape. If we are lucky we will get to see the magnificent northern lights dancing across the sky on our trip, or be treated with a beautiful arctic night sky.
Free cancellation

Evening Tour and Aurora Borealis Sightseeing in Norway by ATV

4.9 (19)

5 hours From £149.82

We dress up in warm clothes and get a briefing on how the ATV you will use works. When this is done, we get on the ATV and start our hunt for the Northern Lights! We follow the coastal road out towards the wild coast, where we have a good overview and good opportunities to see the magic northern lights if the weather is with us. The trip lasts about five hours, but if the northern lights are fantastic, we will stay until everyone is satisfied! Transport from all hotels in Alta, the docks, and the tourist office to the starting point is included.
Free cancellation

Northern Lights Hunt

4.0 (4)

3 hours From £165.56

Step off your ship and straight into the Arctic night. Join us for an unforgettable Northern Lights adventure designed specifically for cruise ship guests. A comfortable, spacious coach will be waiting for you at the harbor, ready to take you on a journey deep into the dark wilderness surrounding Alta – one of the world’s best places to see the aurora. As we leave the city lights behind, your guide will begin a captivating presentation onboard, sharing the science, myths, and mysteries behind the Northern Lights. You’ll hear ancient legends passed down through generations, including the Sami word for the aurora: Guovssahas – “the light you can hear.” Learn how Alta became the starting point of modern aurora research thanks to Kristian Birkeland, the pioneering scientist who unlocked the connection between solar storms and this dazzling phenomenon.