Tonight in Scalloway: Aurora is unlikely in Scalloway right now. Cloud cover is high at 100%. AuroraMe watches Kp, clouds and darkness for this location and sends a free alert when the next viewing window opens.
aurora visibility now
Unlikely
Overcast skies
Kp now 5.3 Enough need 5+
Clouds 100% Overcast
Sky Dark visibility
Weather data by Open-Meteo.com Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Modified by AuroraMe: location snapped to a privacy-preserving 0.25° grid and values rounded for display.
Get a 72-hour aurora forecast and free alerts for Scalloway
Forecast
Time
Kp
Visibility
08.11, Today
00:00
4.7
Unlikely
01:00
4.7
Unlikely
02:00
4.7
Unlikely
03:00
5.0
Unlikely
04:00
5.0
Unlikely
05:00
5.0
Unlikely
Kp Index: 27-Day Forecast
Predicted geomagnetic activity based on solar rotation cycle.
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aurora nights per year
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All 12 months ranked Min nights for 80% chance Push alert 1h before aurora 72-hour forecast
Why this forecast?
Five signals decide whether you'll see aurora from Scalloway tonight. AuroraMe re-checks them every 15 minutes, and all five have to line up: even a strong storm stays invisible behind clouds or in a bright sky.
Aurora Zone
Higher magnetic latitude = better aurora visibility. Your location's magnetic latitude determines how often auroras appear overhead.
Status Levels:
Perfect Above 62.0° — Excellent aurora visibility (daily activity)
Good 56.0° - 62.0° — Good aurora visibility (regular storms)
Acceptable 50.0° - 56.0° — Fair aurora visibility (strong storms only)
Low Below 50.0° — Poor aurora visibility (extreme storms)
Aurora Zone
Good 57.9°
Kp index
Kp measures global magnetic disturbance. Higher Kp = stronger auroras visible at lower latitudes.
Status Levels:
Storm Kp 6-9 — Geomagnetic storm, strong auroras
Active Kp 3-6 — Moderate activity, good conditions
Quiet Kp 1-3 — Low activity, weak auroras
Very Quiet Kp 0-1 — Very quiet, minimal auroras
Kp index
Active 5.3
Cloud Cover Impact
Clear skies are essential for aurora viewing. Clouds block your view of the northern lights. The percentage shows cloud coverage (0% = clear skies, 100% = overcast).
Status Levels:
Clear Clear (0-25%) — Perfect for aurora viewing
Partly Cloudy Partly Cloudy (26-50%) — May partially block view
Cloudy Cloudy (51-85%) — Significantly blocks aurora
Overcast Overcast (85%+) — Blocks aurora completely
Cloud Cover Impact
Overcast 100%
Moonlight
Bright moonlight can wash out faint auroras. New moon provides the darkest skies for optimal viewing.
Status Levels:
New Moon Darkest skies — Best for faint auroras
Crescent Dim moonlight — Good for viewing
Quarter Moderate moonlight — May wash out weak auroras
Gibbous Bright moonlight — Reduces aurora visibility
Full Moon Very bright — Only strong auroras visible
Moonlight
Crescent 14%
Darkness
Darker skies are essential for aurora viewing. The sun must be below the horizon for auroras to be visible.
Status Levels:
Night Darkest conditions — Optimal for auroras
Astronomical Twilight Dark enough — Good aurora viewing
Nautical Twilight Getting darker — Weak auroras may appear
Daylight Sun is above horizon — No aurora visible
Darkness
Astronomical Twilight
Aurora Borealis Viewing in Scalloway
Ancient Shetland capital with castle ruins and aurora photography opportunities.
Scalloway sits at 57.9° magnetic latitude, which means aurora typically becomes visible when the Kp index reaches 5+. Aurora sightings in Scalloway require stronger geomagnetic storms (Kp 5+), which occur a few times per year. When storms do hit, the best viewing window is 10 PM to 2 AM local time under clear, dark skies.
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Learn More About the Northern Lights
Northern Lights in Scalloway: Quick Guide
How often can you see northern lights in Scalloway?
Based on its magnetic latitude of 57.9°, aurora viewing in Scalloway is occasional (10-40 nights per year). Actual frequency varies with the 11-year solar cycle.
Best viewing season: September to March, with peak activity during equinoxes (September and March).
What Kp index do I need to see aurora in Scalloway?
For Scalloway, you need a minimum Kp index of 5.0 for aurora to be visible. This threshold is calculated based on the city's magnetic latitude (57.9°).
Higher Kp values produce brighter, more active displays:
- Kp 5.0-6.0: Faint aurora visible in dark skies
- Kp 6.0-7.0: Moderate aurora with dancing patterns
- Kp 7.0+: Strong, colorful displays visible even with some light pollution
Where should I look for aurora in Scalloway?
Watch the northern horizon. Aurora appears as green or red bands low on the horizon, occasionally rising higher during strong storms.
For best results, seek locations with minimal light pollution and unobstructed views of the sky. From Scalloway, aurora typically remains closer to the horizon, so elevated viewing locations help.
Can I see northern lights tonight in Scalloway?
Unlikely: Low Aurora Score tonight (0/100), but Kp 5.3 is above the minimum threshold for Scalloway. Faint aurora may be visible with good dark sky conditions.
Check the live forecast above for the latest updates.