California: Northern Lights Tonight, City by City
Aurora season in California runs from September to April.
California tonight
Unlikely
California tonight: no realistic chance of aurora anywhere.
| Place | Aurora Score | Best viewing window | Cloud cover | Min Kp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento | 18Unlikely | 10:00 PM–2:00 AM | 91% | 7 |
| Oakland | 18Unlikely | 10:00 PM–2:00 AM | 90% | 7 |
| San Francisco | 18Unlikely | 10:00 PM–2:00 AM | 90% | 7 |
| San Jose | 18Unlikely | 12:00 AM–2:00 AM | 89% | 7 |
| Los Angeles | 18Unlikely | 10:00 PM–2:00 AM | 92% | 8 |
| Long Beach | 17Unlikely | 10:00 PM–2:00 AM | 95% | 8 |
| San Diego | 17Unlikely | 10:00 PM–2:00 AM | 98% | 8 |
| Redding | 16Unlikely | 10:00 PM–2:00 AM | 100% | 7 |
| Fresno | 16Unlikely | 1:00 AM–3:00 AM | 99% | 7 |
California: the next nights
Aurora Forecast AI Tracker
Get aurora alerts for California
Track the aurora forecast for California with hourly visibility, cloud cover and geomagnetic activity. Save nearby viewing spots, check the best time to look for the Northern Lights, and receive alerts when local conditions improve.
- Smart aurora alerts
- Best viewing window
- Hourly forecast
- Saved locations
California in numbers
- Cities on this site
- 9
- Latitude
- 32.7°–40.6°
- Geomagnetic latitude
- 39.4°–46.1°
- Min Kp
- 7–8
- Aurora zone
- Low latitude – Rare
Best Months to See the Northern Lights in California
The aurora season in California usually runs from September to April.
Where the odds are best in California
| Place | Aurora zone | Min Kp | Geomagnetic latitude | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸ReddingCalifornia | Low latitude | 7 | 46.1° | September to April |
| 🇺🇸SacramentoCalifornia | Low latitude | 7 | 44.3° | September to April |
| 🇺🇸OaklandCalifornia | Low latitude | 7 | 43.4° | September to April |
| 🇺🇸San FranciscoCalifornia | Low latitude | 7 | 43.3° | October to March |
| 🇺🇸San JoseCalifornia | Low latitude | 7 | 43.0° | September to April |
| 🇺🇸FresnoCalifornia | Low latitude | 7 | 42.8° | September to April |
| 🇺🇸Los AngelesCalifornia | Low latitude | 8 | 40.5° | September to April |
| 🇺🇸Long BeachCalifornia | Low latitude | 8 | 40.2° | September to April |
| 🇺🇸San DiegoCalifornia | Rare | 8 | 39.4° | September to April |
Other regions in United States
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see the Northern Lights in California tonight?
California: it depends on where you are and on tonight's sky. Redding needs about Kp 7; San Diego needs about Kp 8. 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 California?
California 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: Redding needs about Kp 7, San Diego about Kp 8. Each city's page gives its own threshold.
What are the best months to see the Northern Lights in California?
The best months to see the Northern Lights in California are typically September to April, when nights are darker and aurora viewing conditions are better.
Where is the best place to see the Northern Lights in California?
California: of the places in this list, Redding needs the least — about Kp 7 — while San Diego needs about Kp 8. Wherever you are, a dark sky away from city lights matters more than the exact spot.