Cities Covered
Monitoring locations across Great Lakes
Magnetic Latitude Range
Prime aurora viewing latitudes
Required Kp Index
Minimum activity for visibility
Kp Requirements by Location
Aurora Status by City
Duluth
Favorable position at 55.5° magnetic latitude for aurora watching. KP 4+ storms bring vivid displays. Dark skies and clear weather maximize visibility.
Minneapolis
Located at 53.6° MLAT with decent aurora opportunities. Geomagnetic storms with KP 5+ can produce visible displays. Monitor forecasts for storm alerts.
Green Bay
Aurora possible at 53.5° magnetic latitude during active periods. KP 5+ required for visibility. Strong storms can bring impressive displays.
Madison
Moderate aurora potential at 52.0° magnetic latitude. Northern lights appear during stronger storms when KP reaches 5+. Best chances in winter months.
Detroit
Located at 51.5° MLAT with decent aurora opportunities. Geomagnetic storms with KP 6+ can produce visible displays. Monitor forecasts for storm alerts.
Chicago
Located at 50.9° MLAT with decent aurora opportunities. Geomagnetic storms with KP 6+ can produce visible displays. Monitor forecasts for storm alerts.
Milwaukee
Located at 45.8° MLAT, aurora requires significant storm activity. KP 8+ events several times per year bring northern lights within view.
Cleveland
Rare aurora viewing at 43.0° magnetic latitude. Only major geomagnetic storms (KP 9+) bring northern lights this far south. Worth monitoring during solar maximum.
Indianapolis
Rare aurora viewing at 42.2° magnetic latitude. Only major geomagnetic storms (KP 9+) bring northern lights this far south. Worth monitoring during solar maximum.
Columbus
At 41.8° MLAT, aurora is an uncommon treat. Severe geomagnetic storms can occasionally push northern lights to this latitude. Set alerts for KP 9+ events.
Best Viewing Season in Great Lakes
Geographic Advantages
Peak Aurora Months
Track with AuroraMe
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see the northern lights in Great Lakes?
Yes, Great Lakes region offers aurora viewing opportunities. Cities like Duluth (MLAT 55.5°) can see aurora at Kp 6.0+, while southern locations need Kp 9.0+. Best viewing is September–April during dark, clear nights.
Where are the darkest skies in Great Lakes?
Check our city pages for specific dark sky recommendations near each location.