Unlikely
Best chance in Minnesota: Duluth
Free push alerts built on NOAA space weather data, plus the 72-hour forecast, cloud cover and darkness window for Duluth.
Northern lights in Minnesota are possible but uncommon: they need a Kp of 5 or more to reach this far south. AuroraMe tracks 9 locations across Minnesota; the lowest threshold, Kp 5, is at International Falls.
Cities Covered
9
Monitoring locations across Minnesota
Magnetic Latitude Range
52.7°–57.2° MLAT
Prime aurora viewing latitudes
Required Kp Index
Kp 5.0–7.0
Minimum activity for visibility
Kp Requirements by Location
Duluth
55.5° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 6.0+ Horizon
Kp 7.0+ Optimal
Kp 8.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Minneapolis
53.6° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 7.0+ Horizon
Kp 8.0+ Optimal
Kp 9.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
International Falls
57.2° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 5.0+ Horizon
Kp 6.0+ Optimal
Kp 7.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Ely
56.6° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 6.0+ Horizon
Kp 7.0+ Optimal
Kp 8.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Grand Marais
56.6° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 6.0+ Horizon
Kp 7.0+ Optimal
Kp 8.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Bemidji
56.0° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 6.0+ Horizon
Kp 7.0+ Optimal
Kp 8.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Best Dark Sky Viewing Locations
Interactive map showing dark sky preserves and Bortle class sites in Minnesota. Click markers for details and directions.
Bortle 1
Boundary Waters
Pristine wilderness with exceptional darkness
110mi from duluth260mi from minneapolis
Superior National Forest roads
Bortle 2
Voyageurs National Park
Dark skies over lakes and forests
150mi from duluth300mi from minneapolis
Highway 53 to park entrances
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.
CURRENT STATUS
Unlikely
View
Minneapolis
Located at 53.6° MLAT with decent aurora opportunities. Geomagnetic storms with KP 5+ can produce visible displays. Monitor forecasts for storm alerts.
CURRENT STATUS
Unlikely
View
International Falls
Strong northern position at 57.2° magnetic latitude. Aurora reaches International Falls regularly during active periods, so darkness and cloud cover usually decide the night.
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Ely
Favorable position at 56.6° magnetic latitude for aurora watching. Geomagnetic storms bring vivid displays, and dark skies with clear weather maximize visibility.
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Grand Marais
Favorable position at 56.6° magnetic latitude for aurora watching. Geomagnetic storms bring vivid displays, and dark skies with clear weather maximize visibility.
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Bemidji
Favorable position at 56.0° magnetic latitude for aurora watching. Geomagnetic storms bring vivid displays, and dark skies with clear weather maximize visibility.
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Two Harbors
Favorable position at 55.8° magnetic latitude for aurora watching. Geomagnetic storms bring vivid displays, and dark skies with clear weather maximize visibility.
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
St. Cloud
Favorable position at 54.1° magnetic latitude for aurora watching. Geomagnetic storms bring vivid displays, and dark skies with clear weather maximize visibility.
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Rochester
Moderate position at 52.7° magnetic latitude. Geomagnetic storms can push the auroral oval far enough south to show aurora low on the northern horizon here.
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Best Viewing Season in Minnesota
International Falls averages 5.0 clear nights a year with Kp at its threshold — aurora here is an event, not a season. Figures below are for International Falls, the best-placed of the 9 locations we track in Minnesota. They describe a typical year built from the 1996-2026 planetary Kp record and the 2001-2020 cloud normal — not a forecast. Each city page shows tonight's live cloud, moon and darkness instead.
Geographic Advantages
Magnetic Latitude 52.7°–57.2° MLAT
Cities Covered 9 locations
Winter Darkness 11.8 h in December
Dark Sky Sites 2 Bortle 1-3
Peak Aurora Months
Primary Peak October — 0.68 clear nights
Secondary Peak September — 0.66 clear nights
Third Best August — 0.57 clear nights
Clear Nights a Year 5.0 a year
Kp Needed Kp 5-7
Track with AuroraMe
Coverage All 9 cities
Advance Notice 30 minutes
Weather Integration Cloud cover
Predictions Best viewing times
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see the northern lights in Minnesota?
Yes, Minnesota offers aurora viewing opportunities. Cities like International Falls (MLAT 57.2°) can see aurora at Kp 5.0+, while southern locations need Kp 7.0+. Best viewing is September–April during dark, clear nights.
Where are the darkest skies in Minnesota?
The darkest locations include Boundary Waters and Voyageurs National Park with Bortle class 1–2. These sites offer minimal light pollution for optimal aurora photography.
