Magnetic storms in Île-de-France
Magnetic storms in Île-de-France, France. Current Kp index, 3-day storm forecast, list of cities and geomagnetic activity.
Cities in region20/20
- Paris2,138,551
- Marne La Vallee318,325
- Paris 15 Vaugirard229,713
- Paris 20 Menilmontant185,140
- Cergy-Pontoise183,430
- Paris 18 Buttes-Montmartre183,127
- Paris 13 Gobelins181,271
- Paris 19 Buttes-Chaumont178,691
- Paris 13e Arrondissement177,833
- Paris 16 Passy159,386
- Paris 17 Batignolles-Monceau159,212
- Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines146,598
- Paris 11e Arrondissement144,292
- Paris 12e Arrondissement140,311
- Paris 11 Popincourt138,170
- Paris 12 Reuilly138,024
- Paris 14 Observatoire136,455
- Montreuil111,240
- Boulogne-Billancourt108,782
- Argenteuil101,475
An aurora visible over Île-de-France requires Kp ≥ 6 — current activity is below that level.
Numbers for Île-de-France
Aurora forecast over Île-de-France
Cities of Île-de-France — 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | 2,138,551 | 50.4° | ≥ 6 | Mid-latitudes |
| Marne La Vallee | 318,325 | 50.3° | ≥ 6 | Mid-latitudes |
| Paris 15 Vaugirard | 229,713 | 50.4° | ≥ 6 | Mid-latitudes |
| Paris 20 Menilmontant | 185,140 | 50.4° | ≥ 6 | Mid-latitudes |
| Cergy-Pontoise | 183,430 | 50.6° | ≥ 6 | Mid-latitudes |
| Paris 18 Buttes-Montmartre | 183,127 | 50.4° | ≥ 6 | Mid-latitudes |
| Paris 13 Gobelins | 181,271 | 50.4° | ≥ 6 | Mid-latitudes |
| Paris 19 Buttes-Chaumont | 178,691 | 50.4° | ≥ 6 | Mid-latitudes |
| Paris 13e Arrondissement | 177,833 | 50.4° | ≥ 6 | Mid-latitudes |
| Paris 16 Passy | 159,386 | 50.4° | ≥ 6 | Mid-latitudes |
| Paris 17 Batignolles-Monceau | 159,212 | 50.4° | ≥ 6 | Mid-latitudes |
| Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines | 146,598 | 50.4° | ≥ 6 | Mid-latitudes |
| Paris 11e Arrondissement | 144,292 | 50.4° | ≥ 6 | Mid-latitudes |
| Paris 12e Arrondissement | 140,311 | 50.4° | ≥ 6 | Mid-latitudes |
| Paris 11 Popincourt | 138,170 | 50.4° | ≥ 6 | Mid-latitudes |
| Paris 12 Reuilly | 138,024 | 50.4° | ≥ 6 | Mid-latitudes |
| Paris 14 Observatoire | 136,455 | 50.4° | ≥ 6 | Mid-latitudes |
| Montreuil | 111,240 | 50.4° | ≥ 6 | Mid-latitudes |
| Boulogne-Billancourt | 108,782 | 50.4° | ≥ 6 | Mid-latitudes |
| Argenteuil | 101,475 | 50.5° | ≥ 6 | Mid-latitudes |
FAQ about magnetic storms in Île-de-France
Are auroras visible in Île-de-France?+
Rarely. The geomagnetic latitude of Île-de-France (≈ 50.4°) is not high enough for regular auroras. They are possible only during strong storms Kp ≥ 6 (G3–G4), a few times a year.
How do magnetic storms affect residents of Île-de-France?+
At Kp ≥ 5 weather-sensitive people may experience blood pressure swings, headaches, sleep disturbances. Effects are moderate due to low geomagnetic latitude. However, strong G3+ storms can cause noticeable discomfort even here.
What Kp is needed to see an aurora in Île-de-France?+
By our estimate — Kp ≥ 6 (based on the regional mean of 50.4° 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 Île-de-France?+
Best conditions are at the northernmost city in our database (Cergy-Pontoise, 49.0° 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 Lviv, at 1550 km from the centre of Île-de-France. It belongs to the INTERMAGNET network and records the geomagnetic field in real time.
About magnetic storms: Île-de-France
Magnetic storms in Île-de-France (France) today: planetary Kp = 3.7 (quiet). The database holds 20 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 Île-de-France use the same planetary Kp, but the local impact is computed individually per coordinates.
How a magnetic storm may manifest in Île-de-France: 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 Île-de-France, geomagnetic latitude varies from 50.3° to 50.6°, with a mean of 50.4°. The northernmost city, Cergy-Pontoise, gets aurora visibility opportunities first when Kp climbs; the 0.3° south-to-north spread is enough to put neighbouring cities into very different storm-response groups.
The nearest magnetic observatory tracking conditions over Île-de-France is Lviv. 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 France.