🌌 Aurora forecast

Northern Lights tonight in Chicago?

A live, location-specific aurora forecast for Chicago — tonight's Kp index, the live Ovation model overhead, the Kp this latitude needs, and the 3-day outlook. Updated continuously from NOAA SWPC.

Live · from NOAA SWPC

Unlikely tonight

Aurora is unlikely in Chicago tonight

Kp is 0 (G0), below the roughly Kp 7 Chicago typically needs for the northern lights to come into view.

0Current Kp · G0

0%Overhead now (Ovation)

Kp 7Needed for Chicago

50.9°Geomagnetic latitude

The 3-day outlook peaks around Kp 4, a little below the Kp 7 Chicago usually needs — keep an eye on the live reading.

How to see the northern lights from Chicago

Look north. The aurora appears low on the northern horizon for Chicago unless the storm is strong, so you need a clear, unobstructed view that way.
Get dark. Leave city lights behind — the darker the sky, the fainter an aurora you can catch. A new or low moon helps.
Time it. Activity peaks around magnetic midnight (about 10pm–2am local). Clear autumn-to-spring nights are best.
Check the live reading. A gust of solar wind gives only 15–60 minutes' warning, so watch the live Kp and the space weather dashboard on the night.

Understand the forecast

Aurora forecast hubLive Kp, the visibility map & best window Kp index explainedWhat the 0–9 scale means for you What is space weather?Solar wind, flares, CMEs & storms Space Weather nowLive solar & geomagnetic conditions

Aurora in Chicago — common questions

Can I see the aurora tonight in Chicago?

Aurora is unlikely in Chicago tonight. Kp is 0 (G0), below the roughly Kp 7 Chicago typically needs for the northern lights to come into view.

What Kp index does Chicago need for the aurora?

Chicago sits at about 50.9° geomagnetic latitude, so the auroral oval typically reaches it around Kp 7 and above. Higher Kp brings brighter, higher displays; below that the aurora usually stays poleward of Chicago.

Which way do I look for the aurora from Chicago?

From Chicago, look toward the northern horizon (toward the nearer pole). Find a dark site with a clear view that way, ideally around magnetic midnight (roughly 10pm–2am local).

Aurora forecast for another city

Pick your location for a tonight's-aurora verdict, or open the full aurora forecast hub for the live map and best viewing window.

Last updated 2026-06-26 · Live data: NOAA SWPC (Kp index, OVATION aurora model). Geomagnetic-latitude thresholds are approximate.

Aurora is unlikely in Chicago tonight

How to see the northern lights from Chicago

Understand the forecast

Aurora in Chicago — common questions

Aurora forecast for another city

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