Latitude-Aware Thresholds
StormCast calculates the minimum geomagnetic storm strength needed for the aurora to be visible from your exact location — not a generic nationwide alert.
WHAT YOU'LL RECEIVE
Know exactly when to look up.
Personalized to your latitude, not a generic nationwide alert.
Kp Index Monitoring
NOAA's planetary Kp index is checked every 30 minutes. When it crosses your location's threshold, you get pushed.
G1–G5 Storm Labels
Alerts are labeled in plain language and NOAA's official scale — Minor (G1) through Extreme (G5) — so you know how big a deal it is at a glance.
Space Weather Dashboard
A dedicated dashboard panel shows current geomagnetic conditions and NOAA's forecast discussion, even when conditions are below your alert threshold.
How Aurora Alerts Work
1
StormCast Knows Your Latitude
Using your location, StormCast calculates the Kp index threshold needed for aurora visibility where you live — northern states need much less geomagnetic activity than southern states.
2
Continuous Monitoring
Every 30 minutes, StormCast checks NOAA's real-time planetary Kp index against your personal threshold.
3
Get Pushed When It's Worth Looking Up
When the threshold is crossed, you get a notification telling you the storm intensity and to look north on a clear night, away from city lights.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does StormCast know when the aurora might be visible?
It checks NOAA's planetary Kp index every 30 minutes — a 0-9 scale measuring geomagnetic storm strength — and compares it to the minimum value needed for your latitude.
Will this work for my location?
Yes, anywhere in the US. The threshold is calculated per-location — northern states need a smaller storm, southern states need a much larger one.
What's the G-scale?
NOAA's geomagnetic storm scale, G1 (Minor) through G5 (Extreme). StormCast labels alerts with both the Kp value and the G-scale rating.
Does it cover other space weather?
Yes — the dashboard's space weather panel shows current geomagnetic conditions and NOAA's forecast discussion at all times, not just during alert-worthy storms.
How often will I get notified?
At most once every 6 hours, and only when conditions actually exceed your location's threshold.