Know when the sky is worth your time.
One calm place for the signals that matter before you head outside.
Unlikely
Best chance in United States tonight: Kaktovik
AuroraMe watches Kp, clouds and darkness windows so you know when to go outside.
Aurora Destinations in United States
Kaktovik
Inupiat village on Barter Island, on the Beaufort Sea coast inside the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Unlikely
Barrow
Arctic community with exceptional polar aurora viewing and polar night displays
Unlikely
Nuiqsut
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
Unlikely
Atqasuk
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
Unlikely
Wainwright
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
Unlikely
Point Lay
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
Unlikely
Anaktuvuk Pass
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
Unlikely
Chalkyitsik
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
Unlikely
Venetie
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
Unlikely
Portage Creek
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
Unlikely
Fort Yukon
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
Unlikely
Beaver
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
Unlikely
Circle
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
Unlikely
Bettles
Northern Alaska community with excellent northern lights viewing opportunities
Unlikely
Eagle
Northern Alaska community with excellent northern lights viewing opportunities
Unlikely
Stevens Village
Northern Alaska community with excellent northern lights viewing opportunities
Unlikely
Showing top 16 cities by current aurora activity and magnetic latitude. United States has 304 total aurora viewing locations.
View all 304 cities
AlatnaAllakaketPoint HopeAmblerKobukShungnakLivengoodKivalinaNoatakRampartKianaChickenHughesTwo RiversNoorvikFairbanksMintoNorth PoleSelawikKotzebueManley Hot SpringsTananaDelta JunctionNenanaHusliaDot LakeTokTanacrossAndersonBucklandTetlinNorthwayDeeringHealyShishmarefRubySlanaGalenaKoyukukLake MinchuminaNulatoChistochinaKoyukDiomedeWalesGakonaKaltagBrevig MissionTellerElimShaktoolikWhite MountainChitinaNikolaiNomeTalkeetnaUnalakleetMcGrathSkagwayTakotnaHainesPalmerValdezWillowWasillaSaint MichaelStebbinsTatitlekGraylingYakutatCordovaEyakAnchorageShagelukGirdwoodAnvikJuneauWhittierGustavusKotlikTyonekSavoongaGambellStony RiverHoonahHoly CrossEmmonakCrooked CreekRed DevilSleetmuteAlakanukLime VillagePelicanTenakee SpringsNunam IquaKenaiSoldotnaSheldon PointSewardAngoonAniakChuathbalukSaint Mary'sMarshallRussian MissionMountain VillagePilot StationPitkas PointKalskagLower KalskagUpper KalskagKakePetersburgNinilchikSitkaWrangellScammon BayHalibut CoveTuluksakHomerNondaltonChevakSeldoviaAkiachakAkiakCoffman CoveHooper BayKwethlukNunapitchukPort AlexanderIliamnaNewhalenBethelKasiglukThorne BayNapakiakNapaskiakKasaanKetchikanSaxmanKokhanokKlawockCraigKoliganekMetlakatlaHydaburgIgiugigEekTuntutuliakNew StuyahokTununakNightmuteToksook BayEkwokLevelockChefornakMekoryukAleknagikQuinhagakKwigillingokKipnukDillinghamKing SalmonNaknekSouth NaknekManokotakOuzinkieClark's PointTwin HillsPort LionsKodiakTogiakGoodnews BayPlatinumEgegikLarsen BayKarlukOld HarborPilot PointAkhiokDuluthFargoBismarckPort HeidenChignikChignik LagoonGreat FallsChignik LakeSaint PaulMinneapolisNelson LagoonBellinghamCoeur d'AleneSpokaneGreen BayMissoulaHelenaBillingsSand PointSaint GeorgeBozemanCold BayKing CoveSeattleFalse PassMadisonBurlingtonMilwaukeeYakimaBangorBuffaloDetroitAkutanCedar RapidsChicagoUnalaskaCasperDes MoinesConcordAlbanyPortlandIdaho FallsClevelandOmahaBoiseLincolnBostonNikolskiBendCheyenneEugeneIndianapolisColumbusNew YorkFort CollinsKansas CityAtkaBoulderTopekaPhiladelphiaSt. LouisSalt Lake CityDenverPark CityAdakMedfordColorado SpringsWichitaRichmondReddingNashvilleFayettevilleTulsaVirginia BeachRenoMemphisRaleighOklahoma CityCharlotteLittle RockSacramentoSanta FeAtlantaOaklandAlbuquerqueSan FranciscoLas VegasSan JoseFresnoFlagstaffDallasJacksonFort WorthArlingtonMesaPhoenixLos AngelesBaton RougeLong BeachEl PasoJacksonvilleTucsonNew OrleansAustinHoustonSan DiegoSan AntonioMiami
Aurora Viewing Guide for United States
Best Viewing Season
- Peak months: September through March
- Dark sky window: 6-8 months
States & Regions in United States
Alaska
212 locations
Arizona
4 locations
Arkansas
2 locations
California
9 locations
Colorado
4 locations
Florida
2 locations
Georgia
1 locations
Idaho
3 locations
Illinois
1 locations
Indiana
1 locations
Iowa
2 locations
Kansas
2 locations
Louisiana
2 locations
Maine
1 locations
Massachusetts
1 locations
Michigan
1 locations
Minnesota
2 locations
Missouri
2 locations
Montana
5 locations
Nebraska
2 locations
Nevada
2 locations
New Hampshire
1 locations
New Mexico
2 locations
New York
3 locations
North Carolina
2 locations
North Dakota
2 locations
Ohio
2 locations
Oklahoma
2 locations
Oregon
4 locations
Pennsylvania
1 locations
Tennessee
2 locations
Texas
7 locations
Utah
2 locations
Vermont
1 locations
Virginia
2 locations
Washington
4 locations
Wisconsin
3 locations
Wyoming
3 locationsLearn More About the Northern Lights
Use the aurora borealis forecast, check northern lights tonight, or open the live aurora map and Kp tracker.
United States Aurora FAQ
When is the best time to see northern lights in United States?
In United States the best viewing season runs September through March, with peak activity around the September and March equinoxes. Plan your trip during a new moon and check the live cloud forecast — clear skies matter as much as Kp activity.
Where in United States can I see northern lights?
United States has 304 tracked aurora locations. Top picks by current activity and magnetic latitude: Kaktovik, Barrow and Nuiqsut. Drive 15–30 km away from city light pollution for the clearest sky.
What Kp index do I need to see aurora in United States?
United States's best location reaches visibility from Kp 1.0+ (average magnetic latitude 56.7°). Its lowest-latitude locations need Kp 9.0+, so the bar across United States runs Kp 1.0–9.0.
How many nights should I plan for an aurora trip to United States?
Plan at least 4–6 nights in United States. Kp 1.0+ is reached on many nights each season, so a multi-night stay in peak season usually catches a display when the sky is clear.
Can I see northern lights from major cities in United States?
Yes — but city light pollution reduces visibility. Use the locations above for forecasts and drive to a dark-sky spot when activity is strong. Set free alerts in the app to be notified when aurora is forecast for your nearest city.