Can I see the northern lights tonight in Michigan?
Unlikely in Michigan tonight.
NOAA's Kp forecast peaks at 3 during Michigan's dark hours tonight. Across the 13 Michigan cities we cover, the aurora usually reaches the northern horizon at Kp 5 to 6.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traverse City | 54.0° | 5 / 6 | 3 | Unlikely |
| Saginaw | 52.6° | 5 / 7 | 3 | Unlikely |
| Muskegon | 52.6° | 5 / 7 | 3 | Unlikely |
| Grand Rapids | 52.3° | 5 / 7 | 3 | Unlikely |
| Flint | 52.2° | 5 / 7 | 3 | Unlikely |
| Lansing | 52.0° | 5 / 7 | 3 | Unlikely |
| Sterling Heights | 51.8° | 6 / 8 | 3 | Unlikely |
| Battle Creek | 51.7° | 6 / 8 | 3 | Unlikely |
| Kalamazoo | 51.7° | 6 / 8 | 3 | Unlikely |
| Detroit | 51.6° | 6 / 8 | 3 | Unlikely |
| Jackson | 51.6° | 6 / 8 | 3 | Unlikely |
| Ann Arbor | 51.5° | 6 / 8 | 3 | Unlikely |
| Monroe | 51.2° | 6 / 8 | 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 Grand Rapids local time, with Grand Rapids's thresholds.
Questions
Can I see the northern lights tonight in Michigan?
Unlikely at best, from Grand Rapids. NOAA's Kp forecast peaks at 3 during Michigan's dark hours tonight. Across the 13 Michigan cities we cover, the aurora usually reaches the northern horizon at Kp 5 to 6. You also need a clear, dark view to the north.
What Kp do you need to see the northern lights in Michigan?
About Kp 5 in the north of Michigan and Kp 6 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 Michigan, 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.