Magnetic storms in Madrid
Magnetic storms in Madrid, Spain. Current Kp index, 3-day storm forecast, list of cities and geomagnetic activity.
Cities in region29/29
- Madrid3,255,944
- Latina256,644
- Carabanchel253,678
- Puente de Vallecas244,151
- Fuencarral238,765
- Ciudad Lineal228,171
- Fuencarral-El Pardo220,085
- Mostoles207,095
- Alcala de Henares193,751
- Fuenlabrada190,496
- Leganes188,425
- Getafe187,525
- Alcorcon172,384
- Hortaleza161,661
- San Blas-Canillejas157,367
- Tetuan de las Victorias155,000
- Madrid Centro149,718
- Arganzuela148,797
- Salamanca147,707
- Chamberi145,934
- Usera141,189
- Chamartin140,000
- Villaverde126,802
- Retiro126,058
- Torrejon de Ardoz118,162
- Moncloa-Aravaca116,531
- Alcobendas116,037
- Parla115,611
- Moratalaz104,923
An aurora visible over Madrid requires Kp ≥ 8 — current activity is below that level.
Numbers for Madrid
Aurora forecast over Madrid
Cities of Madrid — 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madrid | 3,255,944 | 43.2° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Latina | 256,644 | 43.1° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Carabanchel | 253,678 | 43.1° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Puente de Vallecas | 244,151 | 43.1° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Fuencarral | 238,765 | 43.2° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Ciudad Lineal | 228,171 | 43.2° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Fuencarral-El Pardo | 220,085 | 43.2° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Mostoles | 207,095 | 43.1° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Alcala de Henares | 193,751 | 43.2° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Fuenlabrada | 190,496 | 43.0° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Leganes | 188,425 | 43.1° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Getafe | 187,525 | 43.1° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Alcorcon | 172,384 | 43.1° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Hortaleza | 161,661 | 43.2° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| San Blas-Canillejas | 157,367 | 43.2° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Tetuan de las Victorias | 155,000 | 43.2° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Madrid Centro | 149,718 | 43.2° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Arganzuela | 148,797 | 43.1° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Salamanca | 147,707 | 43.2° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Chamberi | 145,934 | 43.2° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Usera | 141,189 | 43.1° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Chamartin | 140,000 | 43.2° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Villaverde | 126,802 | 43.1° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Retiro | 126,058 | 43.2° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Torrejon de Ardoz | 118,162 | 43.2° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Moncloa-Aravaca | 116,531 | 43.2° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Alcobendas | 116,037 | 43.3° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Parla | 115,611 | 43.0° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Moratalaz | 104,923 | 43.1° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
FAQ about magnetic storms in Madrid
Are auroras visible in Madrid?+
Almost never. Madrid lies at low geomagnetic latitudes (≈ 43.2°). Visible auroras are possible only during extreme events (Kp ≥ 8) that occur once in several years.
How do magnetic storms affect residents of Madrid?+
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 Madrid?+
By our estimate — Kp ≥ 8 (based on the regional mean of 43.2° 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 Madrid?+
Best conditions are at the northernmost city in our database (Alcobendas, 40.5° 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 2378 km from the centre of Madrid. It belongs to the INTERMAGNET network and records the geomagnetic field in real time.
About magnetic storms: Madrid
Magnetic storms in Madrid (Spain) today: planetary Kp = 3.0 (quiet). The database holds 29 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 Madrid use the same planetary Kp, but the local impact is computed individually per coordinates.
How a magnetic storm may manifest in Madrid: 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 Madrid, geomagnetic latitude varies from 43.0° to 43.3°, with a mean of 43.2°. The northernmost city, Alcobendas, 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 Madrid 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 Spain.