Virginia: Northern Lights Tonight, City by City
Aurora season in Virginia runs from September to April.
Virginia tonight
Low
Aurora chance tonight, Virginia overall: Low. Best place: Richmond, 10:00 PM–1:00 AM.
| Place | Aurora Score | Best viewing window | Cloud cover | Min Kp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | 36Low | 10:00 PM–1:00 AM | 37% | 6 |
| Virginia Beach | 29Low | 10:00 PM–2:00 AM | 36% | 7 |
Virginia: the next nights
Aurora Forecast AI Tracker
Get aurora alerts for Virginia
Track the aurora forecast for Virginia 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
Virginia in numbers
- Cities on this site
- 2
- Latitude
- 36.9°–37.5°
- Geomagnetic latitude
- 45.5°–46.4°
- Min Kp
- 6–7
- Aurora zone
- Low latitude
Best Months to See the Northern Lights in Virginia
The aurora season in Virginia usually runs from September to April.
Where the odds are best in Virginia
| Place | Aurora zone | Min Kp | Geomagnetic latitude | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸RichmondVirginia | Low latitude | 6 | 46.4° | September to April |
| 🇺🇸Virginia BeachVirginia | Low latitude | 7 | 45.5° | September to April |
Other regions in United States
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see the Northern Lights in Virginia tonight?
Virginia: it depends on where you are and on tonight's sky. Richmond needs about Kp 6; Virginia Beach needs about Kp 7. 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 Virginia?
Virginia 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: Richmond needs about Kp 6, Virginia Beach about Kp 7. Each city's page gives its own threshold.
What are the best months to see the Northern Lights in Virginia?
The best months to see the Northern Lights in Virginia 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 Virginia?
Virginia: of the places in this list, Richmond needs the least — about Kp 6 — while Virginia Beach needs about Kp 7. Wherever you are, a dark sky away from city lights matters more than the exact spot.