The Solar Cycle and Aurora: Why Some Years Are Better Than Others
The solar cycle helps explain why aurora activity rises and falls over time, with stronger geomagnetic activity usually showing up more often around solar maximum than solar minimum.
Northern lights forecast tonight in the United States
Check the estimated chances of seeing the northern lights in cities and places across the U.S., both right now and later tonight. Search for a specific city or use a nearby location if your city is not listed.
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Browse by state
California12 places
Colorado3 places
District of Columbia1 place
Florida3 places
Georgia1 place
Hawaii1 place
Idaho2 places
Illinois1 place
Indiana1 place
Kansas1 place
Kentucky2 places
Louisiana1 place
Maine3 places
Maryland1 place
Massachusetts1 place
Michigan5 places
Minnesota4 places
Missouri2 places
Montana3 places
Nebraska1 place
Nevada1 place
New Mexico1 place
North Dakota3 places
Oklahoma2 places
Oregon1 place
Pennsylvania2 places
Utah1 place
Vermont1 place
Virginia1 place
Washington3 places
The chances above don't take the weather into account, so be sure to check the forecast to see if it's cloudy or clear.
Keep exploring aurora forecasts in the United States
Use the links below to compare countries, learn how aurora visibility works, and move from a broad the United States forecast to more specific planning pages.
Northern lights forecast for CanadaCompare aurora chances across the other side of North America.Aurora forecast guides and articlesRead practical explainers on darkness, seasonality, and aurora visibility.Northern lights viewing FAQFind clear answers about clouds, darkness, and when forecast odds matter most.Homepage forecast overviewReturn to the homepage to compare featured cities across North America and Europe.
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Aurora guides for the United States forecast nights
Use these guides to understand why a forecast can look promising in the United States but still depend on darkness, weather, and viewing conditions.
Can You See the Northern Lights in California?
Yes, but only rarely. California can see the northern lights during unusually strong geomagnetic storms, and even then the best odds are usually in darker northern areas with a clear view of the northern horizon.
What Is a Substorm?
A substorm is a short-lived burst of aurora activity that can make the northern lights brighten, move faster, and become easier to spot for a while.