Northern lights in California are very rare: only an extreme geomagnetic storm, Kp 9 at the top of the scale, can bring them this far south. Of the 9 locations AuroraMe tracks in California, Redding has the best chance.
Cities Covered
9
Magnetic Latitude Range
39.4°–46.1° MLAT
Required Kp Index
Kp 9.0–9.0
Unlikely
Best chance in California tonight: Redding
AuroraMe watches Kp, clouds and darkness windows so you know when to go outside.
Kp Requirements by Location
Redding
46.1° MLAT
Kp 9.0+ Horizon
Sacramento
44.3° MLAT
Kp 9.0+ Horizon
Oakland
43.4° MLAT
Kp 9.0+ Horizon
San Francisco
43.3° MLAT
Kp 9.0+ Horizon
San Jose
43.0° MLAT
Kp 9.0+ Horizon
Fresno
42.8° MLAT
Kp 9.0+ Horizon
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Aurora Status by City
Redding
Northern California city with mountain-surrounded aurora viewing opportunities
Unlikely
Sacramento
California capital with Central Valley aurora viewing during active periods
Unlikely
Oakland
Major city with 435K population
Unlikely
San Francisco
Bay Area metropolis with rare but memorable aurora displays over Pacific
Unlikely
San Jose
Major city with 1M+ population
Unlikely
Fresno
Major city with 540K population
Unlikely
Los Angeles
Major city with 4M+ population
Unlikely
Long Beach
Major city with 465K population
Unlikely
San Diego
Major city with 1M+ population
Unlikely
Best Viewing Season in California
Geographic Advantages
Mean astronomical darkness at Fresno, Dec–Feb 10.2–11.2 hours
Peak Aurora Months
Estimates for Fresno
May 0.02 clear nights, 26.4% cloud
October 0.02 clear nights, 27.3% cloud
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see the northern lights in California?
Yes, California offers aurora viewing opportunities. Cities like Redding (MLAT 46.1°) can see aurora at Kp 9.0+, while southern locations need Kp 9.0+. Best viewing is September–April during dark, clear nights.
Learn More About the Northern Lights
Use the aurora borealis forecast, check northern lights tonight, or open the live aurora map and Kp tracker.
