Unlikely
Best chance in Vermont: Burlington
Free push alerts built on NOAA space weather data, plus the 72-hour forecast, cloud cover and darkness window for Burlington.
Northern lights in Vermont are possible but uncommon: they need a Kp of 6 or more to reach this far south. AuroraMe tracks 3 locations across Vermont; the lowest threshold, Kp 6, is at Newport.
Cities Covered
3
Monitoring locations across Vermont
Magnetic Latitude Range
53.8°–54.3° MLAT
Prime aurora viewing latitudes
Required Kp Index
Kp 6.0–7.0
Minimum activity for visibility
Kp Requirements by Location
Burlington
53.8° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 7.0+ Horizon
Kp 8.0+ Optimal
Kp 9.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Newport
54.3° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 6.0+ Horizon
Kp 7.0+ Optimal
Kp 8.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
St. Johnsbury
53.8° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 7.0+ Horizon
Kp 8.0+ Optimal
Kp 9.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Aurora Status by City
Burlington
Moderate aurora potential at 53.8° magnetic latitude. Northern lights appear during stronger storms when KP reaches 5+. Best chances in winter months.
CURRENT STATUS
Unlikely
View
Newport
Favorable position at 54.3° magnetic latitude for aurora watching. Geomagnetic storms bring vivid displays, and dark skies with clear weather maximize visibility.
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
St. Johnsbury
Moderate position at 53.8° 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 Vermont
Newport averages 1.8 clear nights a year with Kp at its threshold — aurora here is an event, not a season. Figures below are for Newport, the best-placed of the 3 locations we track in Vermont. 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 53.8°–54.3° MLAT
Cities Covered 3 locations
Winter Darkness 11.6 h in December
Dark Sky Sites 0 Bortle 1-3
Peak Aurora Months
Primary Peak September — 0.35 clear nights
Secondary Peak October — 0.27 clear nights
Third Best November — 0.22 clear nights
Clear Nights a Year 1.8 a year
Kp Needed Kp 6-7
Track with AuroraMe
Coverage All 3 cities
Advance Notice 30 minutes
Weather Integration Cloud cover
Predictions Best viewing times
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see the northern lights in Vermont?
Yes, Vermont offers aurora viewing opportunities. Cities like Newport (MLAT 54.3°) can see aurora at Kp 6.0+, while southern locations need Kp 7.0+. Best viewing is September–April during dark, clear nights.
Where are the darkest skies in Vermont?
Check our city pages for specific dark sky recommendations near each location.
