United States: Where and When to See the Northern Lights
In the United States, the northern lights are most often visible in northern states during strong geomagnetic activity, especially from September to April.
United States: how often the northern lights appear depends on how far you are from the pole. Around Kaktovik it takes about Kp 1; around Miami, about Kp 9. Season: September to April.
United States tonight
Moderate
Best aurora chance tonight, United States: Moderate. Best place: Kivalina, 10:00 PM–12:00 AM. Clouds are the limit there: about 100% cover tonight.
| Place | Aurora Score | Best viewing window | Cloud cover | Min Kp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KivalinaAlaska | 62Moderate | 10:00 PM–12:00 AM | 100% | 1 |
| Point HopeAlaska | 62Moderate | 10:00 PM–12:00 AM | 100% | 1 |
| FargoNorth Dakota | 61Moderate | 10:00 PM–12:00 AM | 42% | 4 |
| MarquetteMichigan | 59Moderate | 10:00 PM–12:00 AM | 51% | 4 |
| DuluthMinnesota | 56Moderate | 10:00 PM–12:00 AM | 68% | 4 |
Aurora Forecast AI Tracker
Track the Northern Lights forecast in United States
Use the app to follow the Northern Lights forecast across United States with local aurora scores, cloud cover, Kp index and viewing windows. Save cities and regions in United States, compare conditions, and get alerts when the aurora forecast becomes favorable.
- Smart aurora alerts
- Best viewing window
- Hourly forecast
- Saved locations
Best Months to See the Northern Lights in United States
The aurora season in United States usually runs from September to April.
Aurora by region in United States
Auroral oval
Mid-latitude
Minnesota
Kp 4–5 · cities: 3
North Dakota
Kp 4 · cities: 2
Michigan
Kp 4–5 · cities: 4
Montana
Kp 5 · cities: 5
Idaho
Kp 5–6 · cities: 3
Washington
Kp 5 · cities: 4
Wisconsin
Kp 5 · cities: 3
Vermont
Kp 5 · cities: 2
Maine
Kp 5 · cities: 4
Illinois
Kp 5 · cities: 4
New York
Kp 5–6 · cities: 3
Iowa
Kp 5 · cities: 2
Wyoming
Kp 5–6 · cities: 3
Pennsylvania
Kp 5–6 · cities: 4
Indiana
Kp 5–6 · cities: 4
New Hampshire
Kp 5–6 · cities: 4
Oregon
Kp 5–6 · cities: 4
Ohio
Kp 6 · cities: 2
Nebraska
Kp 6 · cities: 2
Massachusetts
Kp 6 · cities: 4
Colorado
Kp 6 · cities: 4
Missouri
Kp 6 · cities: 2
Kansas
Kp 6 · cities: 2
Utah
Kp 6 · cities: 2
Low latitude
Virginia
Kp 6–7 · cities: 2
California
Kp 7–8 · cities: 9
Tennessee
Kp 7 · cities: 2
Arkansas
Kp 7 · cities: 2
Oklahoma
Kp 7 · cities: 2
Nevada
Kp 7 · cities: 2
North Carolina
Kp 7 · cities: 2
New Mexico
Kp 7 · cities: 2
Georgia
Kp 7–8 · cities: 4
Arizona
Kp 7–8 · cities: 4
Texas
Kp 7–8 · cities: 7
Louisiana
Kp 8 · cities: 2
Florida
Kp 8–9 · cities: 2
Where the odds are best in United States
| Place | Aurora zone | Min Kp | Geomagnetic latitude | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸KaktovikAlaska | Auroral oval | 1 | 71.2° | August to April |
| 🇺🇸NuiqsutAlaska | Auroral oval | 1 | 70.2° | August to April |
| 🇺🇸WainwrightAlaska | Auroral oval | 1 | 69.8° | August to April |
| 🇺🇸AtqasukAlaska | Auroral oval | 1 | 69.6° | August to April |
| 🇺🇸ChalkyitsikAlaska | Auroral oval | 1 | 68.9° | August to April |
| 🇺🇸KivalinaAlaska | Auroral oval | 1 | 68.8° | September to April |
| 🇺🇸AndersonAlaska | Auroral oval | 1 | 68.4° | August to April |
| 🇺🇸Point LayAlaska | Auroral oval | 1 | 68.4° | August to April |
| 🇺🇸Anaktuvuk PassAlaska | Auroral oval | 1 | 67.9° | August to April |
| 🇺🇸VenetieAlaska | Auroral oval | 1 | 67.4° | August to April |
Popular cities in United States
Other countries
Northern lights guides
- What Is the Kp Index? Scale, G-Storms, and Your LatitudeThe Kp index measures geomagnetic disturbance, not aurora overhead: the 0–9 scale, NOAA G-storm levels, and what a rising Kp means at your latitude.
- How to Read Our Aurora Forecast: Score, Kp and CloudsHow to read the Aurora Score, Kp, cloud cover and best viewing window on our forecast pages, and turn them into tonight's decision.
- How to See and Photograph the Northern Lights on Your PhoneYour phone often shows aurora your eyes can't. Why cameras see color the eye misses, how to shoot it with night mode, and when it won't work.
- What Kp Do You Need to See the Northern Lights in Iceland?Iceland sits at the edge of the auroral oval, so low Kp is enough when it is dark and clear. Why Reykjavík needs a little more, and how to use the number.
- How Our Aurora Forecast Works: Data Sources and MethodHow the Aurora Score is built: NOAA Kp and OVATION, Open-Meteo cloud cover, darkness, moon, AACGM-v2 geomagnetic latitude — every weight and known limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see the Northern Lights in United States tonight?
United States: it depends on where you are and on tonight's sky. Kaktovik needs about Kp 1; Miami needs about Kp 9. On top of that it takes a clear, dark sky — cloud blocks aurora at any Kp. The table at the top of this page has tonight's forecast city by city.
What Kp index is needed to see the Northern Lights in United States?
United States has no single number. The higher the Kp, the further from the pole the auroral oval reaches, so the threshold rises with distance from the pole: Kaktovik needs about Kp 1, Miami about Kp 9. Each city's page gives its own threshold.
What are the best months to see the Northern Lights in United States?
September to April, with February, March, October, November the darkest stretch — though at this latitude the season is set by how often a storm reaches you, not by daylight.
Where is the best place to see the Northern Lights in United States?
United States: of the places in this list, Kaktovik needs the least — about Kp 1 — while Miami needs about Kp 9. Wherever you are, a dark sky away from city lights matters more than the exact spot.