Magnetic storms in Tartu
Magnetic storms in Tartu, Estonia. Current Kp index, 3-day storm forecast, list of cities and geomagnetic activity.
Cities in region1/1
An aurora visible over Tartu requires Kp ≥ 5 — current activity is below that level.
Numbers for Tartu
Aurora forecast over Tartu
Cities of Tartu — sensitivity table
Minimum Kp shown for a realistic chance of seeing an aurora. The lower the number, the more noticeable storms are in the city.
| City | Population | Geomagnetic latitude | Kp threshold | Sensitivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tartu | 91,407 | 55.7° | ≥ 5 | Sub-auroral |
FAQ about magnetic storms in Tartu
Are auroras visible in Tartu?+
Sometimes. Tartu sits in the sub-auroral zone (mean geomagnetic latitude 55.7°). Noticeable auroras start at Kp ≥ 5, which corresponds to G2–G3 on the NOAA scale.
How do magnetic storms affect residents of Tartu?+
At Kp ≥ 5 weather-sensitive people may experience blood pressure swings, headaches, sleep disturbances. Since Tartu is at high geomagnetic latitudes, effects are stronger than the country average — pensioners and people with hypertension should follow the forecast closely.
What Kp is needed to see an aurora in Tartu?+
By our estimate — Kp ≥ 5 (based on the regional mean of 55.7° geomagnetic latitude). The threshold is lower in the north of the region and higher in the south. For a specific city, open its page and check the «Aurora visibility threshold» section.
Where is the best place to watch auroras in Tartu?+
Best conditions are at the northernmost city in our database (Tartu, 58.4° N). The further north, the higher the geomagnetic latitude and the more frequent the auroras. Also important: clear sky, no city light pollution, and observation around local midnight.
What is the nearest magnetic observatory?+
The nearest observatory is Saint Petersburg (Voeikovo), at 286 km from the centre of Tartu. It belongs to the IZMIRAN network and records the geomagnetic field in real time.
About magnetic storms: Tartu
Magnetic storms in Tartu (Estonia) today: planetary Kp = 1.7 (quiet). The database holds 1 cities in the region with live geomagnetic data and forecasts.
Pick a city from the list to see detailed information: local time, geomagnetic latitude, distance to the nearest magnetic observatory, 3-day Kp chart with forecast and aurora visibility chance. All cities in Tartu use the same planetary Kp, but the local impact is computed individually per coordinates.
How a magnetic storm may manifest in Tartu: at Kp ≥ 5, weather-sensitive people can have headaches, blood-pressure swings, sleep disruption. At Kp ≥ 7, GPS navigation and shortwave radio may glitch. At Kp ≥ 8 — power-grid issues. Data from NOAA SWPC, updated every 10 minutes.
Inside Tartu, geomagnetic latitude varies from 55.7° to 55.7°, with a mean of 55.7°. The northernmost city, Tartu, gets aurora visibility opportunities first when Kp climbs; the 0.0° south-to-north spread is enough to put neighbouring cities into very different storm-response groups.
The nearest magnetic observatory tracking conditions over Tartu is Saint Petersburg (Voeikovo). Combined with the planetary Kp index from NOAA SWPC, this station gives the closest reference point for how the local magnetic field behaves during storms in this part of Estonia.