Breaking News: Northern Lights Dazzle Baden-Württemberg – Second Night Possible!
Stuttgart, Germany – A breathtaking display of the Aurora Borealis lit up the skies over Baden-Württemberg last night, January 20, 2026, captivating residents and sparking excitement across the region. And the good news? There’s a chance the spectacle could return tonight! This rare event, usually reserved for higher latitudes, has become visible thanks to a powerful solar flare and resulting geomagnetic storm. For those hoping to catch a glimpse, here’s everything you need to know, optimized for Google News and SEO to get you the information instantly.
Last Night’s Stunning Show: A Solar Flare to Thank
Reports and stunning images flooded social media overnight as the Northern Lights danced across the Baden-Württemberg sky. The phenomenon was accurately predicted by www.polarlicht-vorhersage.de, which issued an “extremely high” probability forecast on January 19, 2026. The source of this celestial display? A significant LD-Flare of class X1.9 that erupted on January 18, 2026, at 18:00 UTC. This flare triggered a Full-Halo-CME (Coronal Mass Ejection) – a massive expulsion of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun – that is now impacting Earth.
A recording from the night of Tuesday, January 20, 2026. (Valentin Gensch/dpa)
Can You See the Northern Lights Tonight? The Forecast for January 21, 2026
While Tuesday night offered a Kp index of 8.00 (indicating strong geomagnetic activity), the US Environmental Protection Agency’s NOAA currently assesses the probability of Northern Lights sightings over Germany for the coming nights as “mediocre.” However, don’t dismiss the possibility! NOAA is forecasting maximum Kp values of 6.00 for tonight, January 21st. According to the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ), a higher Kp index means greater visibility, even at lower latitudes. A Kp value of 9 would bring the lights as far south as Dresden or Kassel, and in extremely rare cases, even the Alpine region.
Understanding the Kp Index & Solar Storms
The Kp index is a crucial metric for predicting aurora visibility. It measures the disturbance in Earth’s magnetic field caused by solar activity. A Kp index of 0-3 signifies low activity, while 9 represents a major geomagnetic storm. These storms are caused by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) – huge releases of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun. When a CME hits Earth, it interacts with our planet’s magnetosphere, causing the beautiful auroral displays we know as the Northern (and Southern) Lights. This is a fantastic example of space weather impacting our daily lives.
Where and When to Look in Baden-Württemberg
To maximize your chances of witnessing this incredible event, consider these factors:
- Location: Head to rural areas away from city lights. Stuttgart and Karlsruhe, for example, will make viewing difficult.
- Time: The first half of the night is generally best, as darkness is crucial. With sunset around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, look for the lights from around 8 p.m. onwards.
- Weather: The German Weather Service (DWD) predicts mostly clear skies over Baden-Württemberg tonight, with only potential fog in lowlands and Upper Swabia.
- Temperature: Be prepared for cold temperatures! A minimum of -9 degrees Celsius is expected.
- Moon Phase: The recent new moon means minimal lunar interference, providing optimal viewing conditions.
A Rare Opportunity – Don’t Miss It!
The appearance of the Northern Lights in Baden-Württemberg is a truly special event. While solar activity fluctuates, and predicting these displays is never guaranteed, the current conditions offer a genuine opportunity to witness a natural wonder. Keep checking www.polarlicht-vorhersage.de for the latest updates and forecasts. This is a reminder of the powerful forces at play in our solar system and the beauty they can create. Stay tuned to archyde.com for further updates on this developing story and other breaking news events.
