Hello Aurora:Forecast & Alerts icon
Hello Aurora: Professional Review of Northern Lights Forecasting App

by Jeremy Barbet

4.3
IOSWeather
Hello Aurora provides real-time aurora forecasts, alerts, and community sightings for aurora hunters. The iOS app leverages official data sources and user-generated content to enhance northern lights viewing experiences worldwide.

Detailed Review

Hello Aurora: Forecast & Alerts positions itself as a comprehensive tool for aurora enthusiasts, offering real-time data integration from trusted meteorological sources. The application serves a growing community of over 225,000 users worldwide who rely on its forecasting capabilities and social features for aurora hunting expeditions. The application's core functionality centers around minute-by-minute aurora forecasts using official data sources, complemented by instant push notifications when auroral activity reaches observable levels in the user's location. A distinctive community sightings map allows users to view real-time aurora reports and photos from other observers, creating a collaborative network that enhances prediction accuracy beyond purely algorithmic forecasts. The Moments feature enables users to share their aurora photographs, though this functionality is restricted to active aurora events rather than archival uploading. User experience demonstrates thoughtful design with an intuitive interface that presents complex space weather data in accessible visual formats. The map interface overlays KP indices, cloud coverage, and real-time user sightings, allowing for quick assessment of viewing conditions. Users report successful aurora sightings in diverse locations from Iceland to Montana, with the app providing reliable alerts even during short travel windows. Some interface limitations appear in the photo sharing workflow, where temporal restrictions prevent uploading images after auroral activity has concluded. User feedback consistently praises the application's forecasting accuracy and educational value, with reviewer LBT802 noting on March 28, 2022 that it surpasses paid alternatives in usability and reliability. Multiple reviewers including briansilva (January 2, 2022) credit the app with enabling successful aurora sightings during travel. The community sightings feature receives particular acclaim, though RockyMtnGal's October 11, 2024 review highlights limitations in photo upload flexibility. Several users have requested Apple Sign-In integration for improved account management. The application excels in providing reliable, accessible aurora forecasting with strong community integration, though it faces limitations in photo management flexibility and authentication options. Its free model and accurate predictions make it particularly valuable for travelers and amateur astronomers seeking real-time aurora visibility assessments without requiring specialized scientific knowledge.

Key Features

  • Real-time aurora forecasts updating every few minutes using verified official data sources for accurate visibility predictions
  • Instant push notifications alerting users when aurora activity reaches observable levels in their specified location
  • Interactive community sightings map displaying real-time user reports and photographs from active aurora events worldwide
  • Moments sharing platform allowing users to contribute aurora photographs during active events to build collective intelligence
  • Comprehensive overlay system showing KP indices, cloud coverage, and viewing conditions on an interactive global map
  • Educational resources explaining aurora science and observation techniques without requiring advanced technical knowledge

Why Users Love It

Accurate real-time forecasting
Strong community features

Perfect for: Aurora enthusiasts and travelers seeking reliable northern lights predictions

Screenshots

Hello Aurora:Forecast & Alerts screenshot 1Hello Aurora:Forecast & Alerts screenshot 2Hello Aurora:Forecast & Alerts screenshot 3Hello Aurora:Forecast & Alerts screenshot 4Hello Aurora:Forecast & Alerts screenshot 5Hello Aurora:Forecast & Alerts screenshot 6

Ranking History

Track Hello Aurora:Forecast & Alerts's performance in Weather over the last 30 days

Top 5
Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#34

Best Rank

#9

All-time high

Average Rank

#18

30-day average

User Reviews

jiajie313
Nov 1, 2019

Nice app with so much useful info on the same page. Everything you need to hunt for Aurora. Good luck!! Great tool Nice app with so much useful info on the same page. Everything you need to hunt for Aurora.Good luck!!

RockyMtnGal
Oct 11, 2024

I use this app to track the aurora in Montana. It works well, is intuitive, and has decent notifications. My only complaint is that it only lets you upload pictures of the aurora in the moment. I took a bunch of great photos and tried uploading them the next morning and it wouldn’t let me “Aurora not active in you area error message. It would be nice to be able to upload a photo after the fact and specify the date, time, location that you took it! Good app with lots of data I use this app to track the aurora in Montana. It works well, is intuitive, and has decent notifications.My only complaint is that it only lets you upload pictures of the aurora in the moment. I took a bunch of great photos and tried uploading them the next morning and it wouldn’t let me “Aurora not active in you area error message. It would be nice to be able to upload a photo after the fact and specify the date, time, location that you took it!

Heloisa Fitzgerald
Mar 20, 2024

The map with community sightings is the best feature and isn’t on other apps I’ve seen. One thing that could be helpful is if the location is written in the corner of the moments so you don’t have to keep moving to the map to see if it’s relevant to you. Great The map with community sightings is the best feature and isn’t on other apps I’ve seen. One thing that could be helpful is if the location is written in the corner of the moments so you don’t have to keep moving to the map to see if it’s relevant to you.

LBT802
Mar 28, 2022

This has been the most informative/educational app I have fortunately found. I have lotsa outer space apps that are not accurate. I am grateful this app is free. I have paid for “Aurora” apps in the past, waste of money. I like this app. I don’t need to be a Scientist to understand it, like other apps. Vermont USA This has been the most informative/educational app I have fortunately found. I have lotsa outer space apps that are not accurate. I am grateful this app is free. I have paid for “Aurora” apps in the past, waste of money. I like this app. I don’t need to be a Scientist to understand it, like other apps.

briansilva
Jan 2, 2022

All my life I’ve wanted to see the aurora in person. We recently had a short stay-over in Iceland, and this app led directly to multiple, spectacular viewings! I downloaded several similar apps, and this one was the only one that accurately forecast and notified me when aurora were visible. It’s also beautifully designed and easy to use. The data is well-presented and the included explanations are very helpful. The social aspect, with people posting when they spot the aurora, is fun and also a great way to know when the aurora is active. I’m so grateful to the developers for creating this app and for their help in giving me this experience! Hellooo Aurora is right! Amazing App! All my life I’ve wanted to see the aurora in person. We recently had a short stay-over in Iceland, and this app led directly to multiple, spectacular viewings! I downloaded several similar apps, and this one was the only one that accurately forecast and notified me when aurora were visible. It’s also beautifully designed and easy to use. The data is well-presented and the included explanations are very helpful. The social aspect, with people posting when they spot the aurora, is fun and also a great way to know when the aurora is active. I’m so grateful to the developers for creating this app and for their help in giving me this experience!

App Details

Developer

Jeremy Barbet

Platform

ios

Rating

4.3

Last Updated

11/13/2025