Michigan: Northern Lights Tonight, City by City
Aurora season in Michigan runs from September to April.
Michigan tonight
Moderate
Best aurora chance tonight, Michigan: Moderate. Best place: Marquette, 10:00 PM–12:00 AM.
| Place | Aurora Score | Best viewing window | Cloud cover | Min Kp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marquette | 59Moderate | 10:00 PM–12:00 AM | 51% | 4 |
| Ann Arbor | 40Low | 12:00 AM–2:00 AM | 80% | 5 |
| Detroit | 39Low | 1:00 AM–3:00 AM | 85% | 5 |
| Grand Rapids | 36Low | 11:00 PM–1:00 AM | 99% | 5 |
Aurora Forecast AI Tracker
Get aurora alerts for Michigan
Track the aurora forecast for Michigan 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.
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Michigan in numbers
- Cities on this site
- 4
- Latitude
- 42.3°–46.5°
- Geomagnetic latitude
- 51.5°–55.7°
- Min Kp
- 4–5
- Aurora zone
- Mid-latitude
Best Months to See the Northern Lights in Michigan
The aurora season in Michigan usually runs from September to April.
Where the odds are best in Michigan
| Place | Aurora zone | Min Kp | Geomagnetic latitude | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸MarquetteMichigan | Mid-latitude | 4 | 55.7° | September to April |
| 🇺🇸Grand RapidsMichigan | Mid-latitude | 5 | 52.3° | September to April |
| 🇺🇸DetroitMichigan | Mid-latitude | 5 | 51.5° | September to April |
| 🇺🇸Ann ArborMichigan | Mid-latitude | 5 | 51.5° | September to April |
Other regions in United States
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see the Northern Lights in Michigan tonight?
Michigan: it depends on where you are and on tonight's sky. Marquette needs about Kp 4; Ann Arbor needs about Kp 5. 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 Michigan?
Michigan 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: Marquette needs about Kp 4, Ann Arbor about Kp 5. Each city's page gives its own threshold.
What are the best months to see the Northern Lights in Michigan?
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 Michigan?
Michigan: of the places in this list, Marquette needs the least — about Kp 4 — while Ann Arbor needs about Kp 5. Wherever you are, a dark sky away from city lights matters more than the exact spot.