Planning a trip to West Iceland to chase the aurora? The right apps can make the difference between a missed opportunity and a night you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Northern lights prediction apps help you understand when and where the aurora is most likely to appear, so you can step outside at the perfect moment instead of waiting in the cold for hours.
Below are some of the best apps for northern lights prediction, plus tips on how to use them during your stay at Ourhotels.is properties such as Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður, Stykkishólmur Inn, and Ísafjörður Inn.
One of the most popular tools among aurora hunters is the My Aurora Forecast app. It’s user‑friendly and gives you a clear “chance of seeing aurora” percentage based on your location. When you’re staying at Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður, you can simply allow location access and the app will show you the local forecast for the Borgarnes area, including cloud cover and KP index. The app’s alerts are especially useful: set notifications so your phone will let you know when the probability of seeing the northern lights rises above a certain threshold. That way, you can relax in your room or the lounge and only head outside when conditions are promising.
Another excellent option is Aurora Forecast by TINAC Inc. This app is particularly good for visual learners, with easy‑to‑read maps showing the auroral oval and how it moves over time. If you’re staying at Stykkishólmur Inn on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, you can use the map view to see when the auroral oval is likely to pass over West Iceland and plan your evening accordingly. Combine this with the local weather forecast to find clear skies along the coastline or slightly inland. The app also provides short‑term predictions, which are ideal if you want to decide whether to take a late‑night walk from the inn or simply enjoy the stars from just outside the property.
For more advanced users, SpaceWeatherLive and Aurora Alerts offer detailed solar wind data, KP index charts, and real‑time geomagnetic activity. These are especially helpful if you’re staying further north at Ísafjörður Inn in the Westfjords, where darker skies and less light pollution can make even moderate aurora activity spectacular. By watching the KP index and Bz values (a key solar wind parameter), you can anticipate strong displays and be ready to step out to a nearby viewpoint when the numbers look good. Staff at Ísafjörður Inn can often point you toward darker spots just a short walk or drive away, where your app’s predictions really come to life.
Don’t overlook local weather apps and cloud cover tools either. Even the strongest aurora won’t be visible through thick clouds. Apps like Windy, Yr, and the Icelandic Met Office website are perfect companions to your aurora apps. When you’re at Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður, for example, you might see that the aurora forecast is excellent but clouds are moving in from the coast. A quick look at a cloud map can help you decide whether to wait a bit, walk a few minutes away from local lights, or even take a short drive into a clearer patch of sky. The same applies in Stykkishólmur and Ísafjörður, where conditions can change quickly but often clear up again later in the night.
To get the most out of these northern lights prediction apps during your stay with Ourhotels.is, it helps to follow a simple routine. In the late afternoon, check the KP index and overall aurora forecast for West Iceland. After dinner at Hvítá Inn, Stykkishólmur Inn, or Ísafjörður Inn, look again at the short‑term prediction and cloud cover. If the probability is high, dress warmly and scout a nearby dark spot—many of our locations offer easy access to open views with minimal light pollution. Keep your phone handy with notifications turned on, but remember to let your eyes adjust to the dark for at least 15–20 minutes for the best viewing.
Staying at Ourhotels.is properties in West Iceland puts you in an ideal position for aurora hunting: relatively low light pollution, wide horizons, and easy access to nature. Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður offers open river valley views just a short distance from Borgarnes, perfect for stepping out when your app pings with a high aurora chance. Stykkishólmur Inn places you on the edge of Breiðafjörður Bay, where reflections of the northern lights on the water can be breathtaking on clear nights. Ísafjörður Inn, nestled among dramatic Westfjords mountains, gives you a darker, more remote feel while still enjoying the comfort of a cozy inn.
By combining the comfort and locations of Ourhotels.is with reliable northern lights prediction apps, you dramatically increase your chances of witnessing a truly memorable aurora display. Download a couple of these apps before you arrive, ask our staff for local tips on dark viewpoints, and let the technology guide you to the right place at the right time—then simply look up and enjoy the show.
