Oregon: Northern Lights Tonight, City by City
Aurora season in Oregon runs from September to April.
Oregon tonight
Moderate
Best aurora chance tonight, Oregon: Moderate. Best place: Portland, 10:00 PM–1:00 AM.
Aurora Forecast AI Tracker
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Track the aurora forecast for Oregon 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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Oregon in numbers
- Cities on this site
- 4
- Latitude
- 42.3°–45.5°
- Geomagnetic latitude
- 47.6°–50.8°
- Min Kp
- 5–6
- Aurora zone
- Mid-latitude – Low latitude
Best Months to See the Northern Lights in Oregon
The aurora season in Oregon usually runs from September to April.
Where the odds are best in Oregon
| Place | Aurora zone | Min Kp | Geomagnetic latitude | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸PortlandOregon | Mid-latitude | 5 | 50.8° | September to April |
| 🇺🇸BendOregon | Mid-latitude | 6 | 49.6° | September to April |
| 🇺🇸EugeneOregon | Mid-latitude | 6 | 49.3° | September to April |
| 🇺🇸MedfordOregon | Low latitude | 6 | 47.6° | September to April |
Other regions in United States
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see the Northern Lights in Oregon tonight?
Oregon: it depends on where you are and on tonight's sky. Portland needs about Kp 5; Medford needs about Kp 6. 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 Oregon?
Oregon 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: Portland needs about Kp 5, Medford about Kp 6. Each city's page gives its own threshold.
What are the best months to see the Northern Lights in Oregon?
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 Oregon?
Oregon: of the places in this list, Portland needs the least — about Kp 5 — while Medford needs about Kp 6. Wherever you are, a dark sky away from city lights matters more than the exact spot.