Northern lights in the Great Lakes are occasional: this far south they need a geomagnetic storm of Kp 6 or more. Of the 10 locations AuroraMe tracks in the Great Lakes, Duluth has the best chance; others need up to Kp 8.
Cities Covered
10
Magnetic Latitude Range
49.3°–56.0° MLAT
Required Kp Index
Kp 6.0–8.0
Unlikely
Best chance in Great Lakes tonight: Duluth
AuroraMe watches Kp, clouds and darkness windows so you know when to go outside.
Kp Requirements by Location
Duluth
56.0° MLAT
Kp 6.0+ Horizon
Kp 7.0+ Optimal
Kp 8.0+ Bright
Minneapolis
54.2° MLAT
Kp 6.0+ Horizon
Kp 7.0+ Optimal
Kp 8.0+ Bright
Green Bay
53.8° MLAT
Kp 7.0+ Horizon
Kp 8.0+ Optimal
Kp 9.0+ Bright
Madison
52.5° MLAT
Kp 7.0+ Horizon
Kp 8.0+ Optimal
Kp 9.0+ Bright
Milwaukee
52.4° MLAT
Kp 7.0+ Horizon
Kp 8.0+ Optimal
Kp 9.0+ Bright
Detroit
51.6° MLAT
Kp 7.0+ Horizon
Kp 8.0+ Optimal
Kp 9.0+ Bright
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Aurora Status by City
Duluth
Lake Superior port city with water-reflected northern lights
Unlikely
Minneapolis
Twin Cities aurora viewing when geomagnetic storms reach lower latitudes
Unlikely
Green Bay
Wisconsin city with Great Lakes aurora viewing opportunities
Unlikely
Madison
Wisconsin capital with lakes and aurora viewing during strong storms
Unlikely
Milwaukee
Major city with 590K population
Unlikely
Detroit
Motor City with northern lights potential during major aurora events
Unlikely
Chicago
Windy City where rare aurora sightings occur during extreme solar storms
Unlikely
Cleveland
Major city with 380K population
Unlikely
Indianapolis
Major city with 880K population
Unlikely
Columbus
Major city with 905K population
Unlikely
Best Viewing Season in Great Lakes
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see the northern lights in Great Lakes?
Yes, Great Lakes region offers aurora viewing opportunities. Cities like Duluth (MLAT 56.0°) can see aurora at Kp 6.0+, while southern locations need Kp 8.0+. 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.
