Aurora Forecast Tonight in Spokane

Aurora season in Spokane runs from September to April.

Tonight's Forecast

Unlikely

How we calculate the aurora score

Unlikely

We combine geomagnetic activity (Kp), aurora oval probability (OVATION), cloud cover, darkness and moonlight, weighted for Spokane (region: high_latitude).

With current Kp 1.7 (location needs ≥ 4) and 100% cloud cover, aurora viewing is unlikely at Spokane.

Unlikely 0-19

Score 0–19. Conditions strongly limit aurora visibility.

Low 20-44

Score 20–44. A faint aurora is possible only under perfect conditions.

Moderate 45-64

Score 45–64. Aurora may be visible to alert observers in dark, clear skies.

High 65-84

Score 65–84. A good chance of a visible aurora display.

Very High 85-100

Score 85–100. Excellent odds — plan to be outside tonight.

Aurora viewing is unlikely tonight.

Aurora Score 14 /100

Aurora visibility in Spokane is unlikely tonight. Current conditions do not strongly support visible Northern Lights.

With current Kp 1.7 (location needs ≥ 4) and 100% cloud cover, aurora viewing is unlikely at Spokane.

Max Kp

Below threshold

Kp is below the minimum needed at this latitude.

1.7

Below threshold

Cloud Cover

Overcast

Over 85% cloud — aurora effectively hidden.

100%

Overcast

Moon

Moderate moonlight

25–75% illuminated — faint aurora may be washed out.

60%

Moderate moonlight

OVATION

Low

Less than 5% probability — aurora unlikely to reach this location.

Low

🕐

Best Viewing Window

10:00 PM – 2:00 AM

This is the best available window, but geomagnetic activity is expected to be low.

17/100

3:00 AM: 17/100 — unlikely

Max Kp

1.3

Cloud Cover

100%

Moon

60%

OVATION

10:00 PM

11:00 PM

12:00 AM

1:00 AM

2:00 AM

3:00 AM

Best viewing window: 10:00 PM – 2:00 AM. Peak around 10:00 PM with a visibility score of 17/100.

Why this forecast?

The forecast is unlikely because one or more key conditions are not favorable for visible aurora tonight.

Score breakdown

How tonight's aurora score for Spokane breaks down into activity and visibility components.

Geomagnetic activity

0 / 30

Geomagnetic activity (Kp 1.7) contribution to the score.

0 / 30

Aurora oval probability

0 / 30

OVATION aurora oval probability (0%) contribution.

0 / 30

Cloud cover

0 / 20

Cloud cover (100%) contribution — clear skies score full points.

0 / 20

Darkness

15 / 15

Sky darkness contribution — astronomical darkness scores full points.

15 / 15

Moonlight

2 / 5

Moon illumination (60%) contribution — new moon scores full points.

2 / 5

Aurora zone

+5 pts

Latitude/zone bonus for Spokane.

+5 pts

Aurora activity 5 / 100

Sky visibility 34 / 100

Final score 14 / 100

Geomagnetic activity 1.7 / 4

Geomagnetic activity (Kp index)

Below threshold

Kp measures how disturbed Earth's magnetic field is on a 0–9 scale. Higher Kp pushes the aurora oval toward the equator. Spokane needs Kp ≥ 4.

Below threshold

Kp is below the minimum needed at this latitude.

Near threshold

Kp is close to the minimum needed — a faint aurora may appear low on the horizon.

Enough for this location

Kp meets the threshold for visible aurora here.

Strong for this location

Kp is comfortably above the local threshold.

Geomagnetic storm

Storm-level Kp ≥ 5 — aurora can be seen far south of its usual zone.

Below threshold

Geomagnetic activity is below the usual visibility threshold for Spokane: expected Kp is 1.7, while this location usually needs around 4.

Cloud cover 100%

Cloud cover

Overcast

Average cloud cover during the best viewing window. Clear skies are essential — even thin overcast hides the aurora.

Clear skies

Up to 25% cloud — excellent visibility.

Partly cloudy

25–50% cloud — aurora may peek through gaps.

Cloudy

50–85% cloud — most of the sky is blocked.

Overcast

Over 85% cloud — aurora effectively hidden.

Overcast

Cloud cover is high tonight, which can block the view even if aurora activity is present.

✓

Darkness astronomical

Sky darkness

Astronomical darkness

Aurora is faint and needs a dark sky. Astronomical darkness (sun more than 18° below horizon) is ideal.

No dark window

Sun stays above 6° below horizon all night — no aurora-friendly darkness.

Civil twilight

Sun 6–12° below horizon — too bright for faint aurora.

Nautical twilight

Sun 12–18° below horizon — sky is dark but not fully astronomical.

Astronomical darkness

Sun more than 18° below the horizon — fully dark sky.

Astronomical darkness

•

Moonlight 60%

Moon illumination

Moderate moonlight

A bright moon washes out faint aurora colours. New moon is ideal; full moon hides everything but the strongest displays.

Dark moon

Less than 25% illuminated — minimal interference.

Moderate moonlight

25–75% illuminated — faint aurora may be washed out.

Bright moon

Over 75% illuminated — only strong displays will be visible.

Moderate moonlight

Moonlight is moderate tonight and may slightly reduce aurora visibility.

Aurora oval probability 0%

Aurora oval probability (OVATION)

Low

NOAA's OVATION model estimates the chance of aurora visible overhead within a 250 km radius of you.

Low

Less than 5% probability — aurora unlikely to reach this location.

Moderate

5–20% probability — aurora possible.

Elevated

20–40% probability — aurora likely if skies are clear.

High

Over 40% probability — aurora very likely overhead.

Low

The aurora oval probability is low for this location tonight.

✓

Aurora zone Good zone

Aurora zone

Good zone

How favourable Spokane's latitude is for aurora viewing in general — independent of tonight's conditions.

Low zone

Lower latitude — aurora is rare and requires a major storm.

Fair zone

Mid-latitude — aurora visible only during moderate-to-strong storms.

Good zone

High-latitude region — aurora is visible on most active nights.

Excellent zone

Directly under the auroral oval — aurora is a regular occurrence.

Good zone

Spokane is in a good aurora region, where aurora is possible during moderate geomagnetic activity.

Data sources

· NOAA SWPC Kp forecast
· NOAA OVATION aurora model
· Open-Meteo cloud forecast

Aurora Forecast AI Tracker

Get aurora alerts for Spokane

Save Spokane in Aurora Forecast AI Tracker to follow the local Northern Lights forecast, hourly aurora visibility and best viewing window. Get notified when Kp activity, darkness and cloud cover create better chances to see the aurora.

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Best viewing window
Hourly forecast
Saved locations

Best Months to See the Northern Lights in Spokane

Best: September to April Peak: January and December

September October November December January February March April

The aurora season in Spokane usually runs from September to April.

Spokane sits at 56.48° magnetic latitude, which means aurora typically becomes visible when the Kp index reaches 4.0+. As a high-latitude location, sightings are relatively common during strong solar activity. The best viewing season runs from September through April.

Other aurora viewing spots near Spokane

🇺🇸

Coeur d'Alene

Idaho

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Yakima

Washington

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Missoula

Montana

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Kelowna

British Columbia

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Seattle

Washington

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Lethbridge

Alberta

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Bellingham

Washington

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Kamloops

British Columbia

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Helena

Montana

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Calgary

Alberta

Frequently Asked Questions

What Kp index is needed to see the Northern Lights in Spokane?

In Spokane, a Kp index around 4+ usually gives a realistic chance of visible aurora, depending on darkness, clouds, and light pollution.

What are the best months to see the Northern Lights in Spokane?

The best months to see the Northern Lights in Spokane 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 Spokane?

The best places to see the Northern Lights in Spokane are dark areas away from city lights, with a clear view toward the northern horizon.