🛰️ Top Aurora Forecast Tools (That Actually Work in the Southern Hemisphere)

Southern Hemisphere aurora chasers know the struggle: half the tools online either don’t mention the south, or just show a blank green ring up north. But good news—there are reliable tools designed for tracking the Aurora Australis. You just have to know where to look.

Whether you're in Tasmania, New Zealand, Patagonia, or even Antarctica, these tools will help you catch the glow before it happens.

🌌 1. NOAA Ovation Aurora Forecast – Southern Hemisphere

Link: NOAA South Aurora Forecast

• Live visual forecast of auroral activity around the South Pole
• Shows intensity, coverage, and movement of auroral oval
• Updated every ~30 minutes

Why it’s great: It’s one of the few official maps that actually shows the Southern Hemisphere by default. No flipping, no toggling—just the raw glow zone.

📍 Use it with: SpaceWondersLive.com/aurora for easy viewing + context.

📱 2. Aurora Forecast App (iOS & Android)

Made by TINAC Inc.

• Push notifications when aurora visibility is likely
• Real-time Kp index, solar wind, and visibility maps
• Customizable for Southern Hemisphere alerts
• Location-based alerts
• 3-day forecasts
• Easy-to-understand interface

Tip: Under “Settings,” be sure to toggle ‘Southern Hemisphere’ visibility forecasts.

🧭 3. Aurora Service South (aurora-service.net)

Link: aurora-service.net

• Dedicated Southern Hemisphere-only forecast
• Graphs, maps, Bz readings, Kp values—all tailored for the south
• Clean interface
• Focused on New Zealand, Tasmania, South Pole regions

Nova Says: One of the few non-governmental sites with consistent SH updates.

📊 4. Kp Index Trackers (NOAA & AuroraWatch)

Link: NOAA Kp Index

Why Kp matters: Kp = measure of geomagnetic activity.

• Kp 4 = low risk
• Kp 5 = possible visibility
• Kp 6+ = grab your camera and run outside

Tip: Use a tool that lets you set mobile alerts for Kp thresholds (like Kp 6+ = notification).

☁️ 5. Windy.com – Cloud Cover + Darkness Predictor

Link: Windy.com

• Real-time cloud cover
• Moon phase
• Satellite + radar overlays
• Hour-by-hour forecasts

Why it’s relevant: Even if the aurora is strong, clouds will ruin your view. Windy shows you what’s overhead.

Combo it with an aurora app to get a "can I actually see it?" check.

📲 6. My Aurora Forecast & Alerts (iOS/Android)

• Real-time probability index
• User-submitted sightings (🔥 underrated!)
• Solar wind stats
• Custom notifications for your latitude
• Can also display hemisphere-specific visibility alerts

🔭 Bonus: SpaceWondersLive.com/aurora

• Your homebase for real-time Southern Hemisphere aurora maps
• Clean interface, auto-refreshing southern data
• Northern map + Southern map toggle
• Mobile-optimized, minimalist + fast

Nova's note: Use it as your daily check-in hub and link to other tools from there for deeper stats.

⚡ Final Tips for Using Aurora Tools in the South

• Always combine tools (e.g. Kp tracker + cloud map + oval forecast)
• Check around 2–3 hours before midnight local time—that’s aurora prime time
• Don’t just trust apps—double-check solar wind stats and cloud cover
• Look south (yep, not overhead!)
• Always plan around moon phase + dark skies

🔗 Need the current forecast now?

👉 Check the real-time Southern Hemisphere aurora map at:
SpaceWondersLive.com/aurora