This forecast covered the night of 2026-07-04. It stays online as a record of what was forecast. For current conditions, check the live forecast. Live aurora forecast

Northern lights forecast for the United States: Alaska and the inland Northwest have a Kp 6.7 watch

AuroraMe now sees a Kp 6.7 peak on July 4. The United States candidate is narrower than Canada, with the best listed probabilities in Alaska and a watch zone around Bellingham, Coeur dAlene, Spokane and Yakima.

By AuroraMe Space Weather Desk Published Jul 4, 2026 10:00 CEST Updated Oct 7, 2026 09:07 CEST
Archived forecast for July 4 POSSIBLE

This archived forecast recorded the listed United States city outlook for July 4.

Kp peak 6.7 Storm-level activity
Top city odds 28% Akhiok
Best window 01:00-02:00 Local time
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What happened on 2026-07-04

The storm overperformed. NOAA's observed planetary K index peaked at 7.3, above the forecast peak of Kp 6.7 this brief was based on.

This event is over. For the next viewing chance, check the live 72-hour forecast for your city - conditions change every few hours.

City forecast

City Forecast window
Akhiok Jul 4, 01:00-02:00 local time
Old Harbor Jul 4, 01:00-02:00 local time
Bellingham Jul 4, 01:00-02:00 local time
Coeur d'Alene Jul 4, 01:00-02:00 local time
Spokane Jul 4, 01:00-02:00 local time
Seldovia Jul 4, 01:00-02:00 local time
Yakima Jul 4, 01:00-02:00 local time

City Aurora Scores for this Kp 6.7 event

2026-07-04 · peak Kp 6.7 AuroraMe per-city visibility score, top 7 cities Akhiok 28/100 Old Harbor 26/100 Bellingham 25/100 Coeur d'Alene 22/100 Spokane 22/100 Seldovia 21/100 Yakima 20/100

Probabilities combine the Kp forecast with each city's visibility threshold, darkness window and cloud outlook at generation time. Live values on each city page override this snapshot.

NOAA northern hemisphere aurora forecast map
AuroraMe converts the storm-level Kp forecast into city calls using each city visibility threshold, darkness, clouds and local timing.

Kp 6.7 reaches some US city thresholds, but not everywhere

A Kp 6.7 forecast can push aurora into northern US latitudes, but tonight the stronger city probabilities remain limited. Alaska has the best listed odds, while Bellingham, Coeur dAlene, Spokane and Yakima are watch targets.

This is not a blanket United States forecast. Use the city list as a practical filter, then check live clouds and local darkness before making a long drive.

What to do

  1. Check your exact city forecast before leaving, because a city Aurora Score of 20-28 still needs clear skies.
  2. Avoid streetlights and look north. A faint aurora can be easy to miss from inside town.
  3. Use phone night mode or a short camera exposure to detect faint green or red glow near the horizon.

Sources and live checks

This brief uses AuroraMe's 72-hour city forecast from the July 4 live snapshot together with NOAA SWPC Kp forecast, OVATION aurora data and local visibility factors. Check your live city page before driving because clouds change fastest.