Report updated Apr 3, 2026
Aurora Forecast & Alerts
v1.8Designed for both casual tourists and serious aurora borealis enthusiasts who require precise, data-driven insights for planning viewing trips.
What Is Aurora Forecast & Alerts?
Launched Feb 18, 2016
Updated Mar 2026
What users think iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
What does it look like?
What are the key features?
Real-time map with 30-minute, spot-specific visibility forecasts updated every 5 minutes.
Provides 3-day and 27-day forecasts including solar flux and flare probabilities.
Displays detailed solar wind statistics, density, Bz, Bt, and Hemispheric Power Index.
Push notifications for aurora activity, configurable by Kp Index and alert type.
What do users think? iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
“Recent user voice shows a mixed sentiment. Users appreciate accurate aurora predictions and educational value, but report intrusive advertising and background data/battery usage.”
What Users Love
The alerts the app gives are accurate. Miles better than other top rated apps I've tried
It explains what to look for and you don’t have to be an astronaut to know when the northern lights will be in your area
Pain Points
Annoying full page ads that it's impossible to close or get out of
It is eating a lot of mobile data in the background for my taste
High confidence · 56.6K reviews available
What are the pros and cons?
Pros
- High predictive accuracy
- Unique 27-day long-range forecasting
- Deep technical solar data integration
- Large established user base on Android
Cons
- Aggressive and intrusive full-screen ads
- Reports of malicious/scam ad content
- High background battery and data consumption
- Lack of an ad-free premium tier
What is the market outlook?
Growth Opportunities
- Introduce a 'Pro' subscription for ad-removal
- Integrate community-driven sighting reports
- Optimize background processes for better battery life
- Modernize UI to compete with newer, polished apps
Market Threats
- User churn to modern UI competitors like Aurora Reach
- Potential App Store delisting due to malicious ads
- Platform-level restrictions on background data usage
Who competes with Aurora Forecast & Alerts?
The Nemesis
Hello Aurora:Alerts & Forecast
Jeremy Barbet
The most direct rival, offering a community-driven aurora sighting map and real-time Kp index alerts with a modern UI.
The most direct rival, offering a community-driven aurora sighting map and real-time Kp index alerts with a modern UI.
Contenders
SpaceWeatherLive
Parsec vzw
Provides more technical, data-heavy solar analysis and real-time auroral oval graphics for power users.
Provides more technical, data-heavy solar analysis and real-time auroral oval graphics for power users.
Northern Lights Alert
Jari Ketola
A streamlined alternative focused specifically on the notification aspect of aurora hunting.
A streamlined alternative focused specifically on the notification aspect of aurora hunting.
Aurora Tromsø
Remi-Andre Romsdal
Leverages the authority of Spaceweather.com to provide direct competition in forecasting and solar data.
Leverages the authority of Spaceweather.com to provide direct competition in forecasting and solar data.
Peers
Essential planning tool for the app's target audience of photographers needing to align aurora shots with terrain.
3D Augmented Reality Planner
Broad stargazing app that captures the same night-sky enthusiast demographic.
Time Travel
Windy.com
Windyty, SE
The go-to app for aurora hunters to check cloud cover layers, which is the primary physical blocker for visibility.
The go-to app for aurora hunters to check cloud cover layers, which is the primary physical blocker for visibility.
New Kids on the Block
Aurora Hills: Chapter 2
NovaSoft Interactive Ltd
A newer entrant focusing on 'reachability' scores and a highly polished, user-friendly interface.
A newer entrant focusing on 'reachability' scores and a highly polished, user-friendly interface.
What are the key takeaways?
Aurora Forecast & Alerts is a divisive weather app that is completely free. With a 4.7/5 rating from 56.6K reviews, it receives mixed feedback from users. Users particularly appreciate accurate aurora predictions, though intrusive advertising remains a common concern.
Best for: Designed for both casual tourists and serious aurora borealis enthusiasts who require precise, data-driven insights for planning viewing trips.
How much does it cost?
Model: free
The app utilizes an ad-supported model to provide full access to all features, prioritizing user acquisition but suffering from high user friction due to the lack of a paid ad-free option.
iOS Version
1.8
Android Version
26.3.0
Release Date
Feb 18, 2016
iOS Price
Free
Android Price
Free
Developer
LW Brands, LLC