Kangerlussuaq

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Kangerlussuaq is a small settlement of around 500 people at the head of a 190 km fjord on Greenland’s west coast. At 67°N it sits just above the Arctic Circle, and its position deep inland gives it one of the most stable, dry climates in Greenland - statistically the clearest skies in the country. This makes it arguably the best location in Greenland for aurora viewing, with displays visible on a high proportion of clear winter nights.

The settlement grew around a US military air base built during the Second World War, and for decades Kangerlussuaq’s long runway served as Greenland’s main international airport and the transit point for almost all visitors to the country. With Nuuk’s new airport now open for international flights, Kangerlussuaq’s role is shifting, but it remains an important domestic hub and a destination in its own right.

The surrounding landscape is Arctic tundra, vast and treeless, stretching inland towards the Greenland ice sheet. The edge of the ice sheet is reachable by a rough track from the settlement, one of the few places in the world where you can drive to a continental ice cap. Musk oxen roam the valleys around Kangerlussuaq in large numbers and are regularly spotted close to the settlement. Caribou, Arctic foxes and Arctic hares are also common.

There’s very little light pollution in Kangerlussuaq, the settlement is tiny and there are no other towns nearby. On clear nights, the aurora can fill the sky from horizon to horizon. Accommodation is limited to a couple of hotels and a hostel, and facilities are basic, but for dedicated aurora chasers the viewing conditions are hard to beat anywhere in Greenland.

Credit: Mads Schmidt Rasmussen
Credit: sara nudaveritas
Credit: Mads Schmidt Rasmussen
Credit: Mads Schmidt Rasmussen
Credit: Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen - Visit Greenland

How are my chances of seeing the aurora today?

Many factors contribute to your likelihood of viewing the aurora in Kangerlussuaq. 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 Kangerlussuaq area (forecast for 25 August 2026 at 6:12am 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.

HPI 14 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 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 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 1.51 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 346.3 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

Waxing gibbous 84%

Sunrise 6:29am

Sunset 10:21pm

Moonrise 10:54pm

Moonset 9:00pm

Clear

2°C Feels like -2°C

High: 15°C
Low: 2°C

Chance of precipitation 0%
Cloud cover 6%
Easterly winds 3 km/h

Aurora season in Kangerlussuaq

The aurora season in Kangerlussuaq runs from September to April, with the best viewing conditions in September, October, February and March.

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Peak viewing In season Off season

Book an amazing adventure in Kangerlussuaq

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

Free cancellation Private tour

Nuuk Greenland Private Guided Tour by Car

4.5 (27)

1 hour 30 minutes From £316.84

If you ever find yourself in the capital of Greenland, Nuuk, and have limited time, but want to see as much as possible, this tour is something for you. We will start the tour by picking you up in our 4x4 car wherever you are located in Nuuk - at your ship, at your accommodation. On this tour, you will see everything from where it all began in the charming colonial harbor to the new different areas and see the historical development of Nuuk city with the new modern buildings. We will stop by the very best photo sights in the town such as "The end of the world", a viewpoint from where you can see the Kook Islands and mount Kingigtorsuaq, North of Nuuk, where you can see parts of the world's second-largest fjord system and look at Nuuk's landmark, Sermitsiaq mountain. You will have the option of stopping by a souvenir shop (within opening hours). If you have any special wishes or places you would like to see, it becomes your very own tailor-made tour.
Free cancellation Private tour

Nuuk Qinngorput Walk & Greenlandic Tea Hygge Experience

5.0 (1)

2 hours From £234.70

While most visitors explore Greenland through its dramatic landscapes, this experience invites you to discover the quieter side of Arctic life. By combining a neighborhood walk with Greenlandic tea tasting, local storytelling, and the warm atmosphere of Café Nuan, you'll experience the Nordic feeling of hygge—finding comfort, connection, and calm in simple moments shared together. Rather than simply seeing Greenland, you'll experience the hospitality and everyday traditions that make it feel like home.
Free cancellation Private tour

Private Transfer from Nuuk Cruise Port to Nuuk City Hotels

No reviews

10 minutes From £82.82

Book your Private Transfer from Nuuk Cruise Port to Nuuk city hotels or any address. Don't go through all the hassle of waiting in a long taxi or shared shuttles queues and use our private, door to door port/city transfer. Your driver will be waiting for you at a scheduled time and you will travel comfortably to your destination. • Meeting with a Nameplate • Door-to-door Service • No Hidden Charges • Clean cars & Professional drivers
Free cancellation Private tour

Nuuk Walking Tour with Guided National Museum Visit

No reviews

2 hours From £211.23

Most visitors can admire Nuuk's landmarks. This experience helps you understand why they matter. Walk alongside a local guide as Greenland's capital unfolds beyond its colorful streets and historic buildings, revealing the people, traditions, and stories that have shaped life in the Arctic for generations. Rather than simply pointing out monuments, your guide shares local perspectives that connect Greenland's Inuit heritage, colonial history, and modern identity. Continue with a guided visit to the Greenland National Museum, home to the world-famous Qilakitsoq Mummies and remarkable artifacts spanning more than 4,500 years of Greenlandic history. More than a sightseeing tour, this is an opportunity to see Nuuk through local eyes and leave with a deeper understanding of Greenland, its people, and its culture.
Free cancellation Private tour

Nuuk Hotels to Nuuk Airport (GOH) Departure Private Transfer

No reviews

15 minutes From £87.18

Book your private Departure transfer from Nuuk hotels to Nuuk Airport (GOH). Your driver will be waiting for you at a scheduled time and you will travel comfortably to your destination. • Meeting with a Nameplate • We track your Flight • Door-to-door Service • No Hidden Charges • Clean cars & Professional drivers
Free cancellation Private tour

Nuuk Legends and History Smartphone Guided GPS Walking Tour

3.7 (15)

1 - 1 hour 30 minutes From £7.27

Nuuk is a place where ancient history and contemporary culture live side by side. Our tour begins at the Katuaq Cultural Center, a striking, wave-shaped building inspired by the northern lights and we’ll finish our walk at Orsiiviup Nuunngua, a scenic spot where you can soak in sweeping views of the fjord and mountains. You'll hear legends, history and stories of the city, and see it's sites. Go at your own pace, anytime. Stop and go as you please. The tour is location aware, GPS, playing as you walk. Keep you phone in your pocket and your head up.