Can I see the northern lights tonight in Illinois?
Unlikely in Illinois tonight.
NOAA's Kp forecast peaks at 3 during Illinois's dark hours tonight. Across the 11 Illinois cities we cover, the aurora usually reaches the northern horizon at Kp 6 to 7.
Green: NOAA OVATION aurora model, forecast for 03:41 UTC 5 Nov (a 30 to 90 minute nowcast; the oval moves and brightens through the night). Dots: our verdict for tonight from the Kp forecast.
City by city
| City | Mag. lat. | Kp needed horizon / overhead | Peak Kp tonight | Tonight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockford | 51.7° | 6 / 8 | 3 | Unlikely |
| Elgin | 51.5° | 6 / 8 | 3 | Unlikely |
| Chicago | 51.3° | 6 / 8 | 3 | Unlikely |
| Aurora | 51.2° | 6 / 8 | 3 | Unlikely |
| Joliet | 51.0° | 6 / 8 | 3 | Unlikely |
| Kankakee | 50.6° | 6 / 8 | 3 | Unlikely |
| Peoria | 50.2° | 6 / 8 | 3 | Unlikely |
| Bloomington, IL | 50.0° | 6 / 8 | 3 | Unlikely |
| Champaign | 49.7° | 7 / 9 | 3 | Unlikely |
| Decatur | 49.4° | 7 / 9 | 3 | Unlikely |
| Springfield, IL | 49.4° | 7 / 9 | 3 | Unlikely |
Kp needed: the Kp at which the aurora usually reaches the northern horizon, and overhead. Peak Kp: NOAA's highest forecast 3-hour Kp in each city's dark hours tonight.
Kp forecast
NOAA planetary K-index, observed and forecast, in Chicago local time, with Chicago's thresholds.
Questions
Can I see the northern lights tonight in Illinois?
Unlikely at best, from Chicago. NOAA's Kp forecast peaks at 3 during Illinois's dark hours tonight. Across the 11 Illinois cities we cover, the aurora usually reaches the northern horizon at Kp 6 to 7. You also need a clear, dark view to the north.
What Kp do you need to see the northern lights in Illinois?
About Kp 6 in the north of Illinois and Kp 7 in the south to see it low on the northern horizon; stronger storms bring it overhead.
Where is the best place to see it?
Somewhere dark with a clear view north, away from town lights. In Illinois, the further north you go, the lower the Kp you need.
Northern lights tonight in the US → · Aurora forecast this week
Data: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (planetary K-index forecast, 3-day forecast, 27-day outlook, OVATION aurora model). Magnetic latitudes: AACGM-v2. Darkness and Moon computed with Skyfield and JPL DE440. We do not forecast clouds: you need a clear view to the north. How the verdict is made.