Unlikely
Best chance in Wisconsin: Green Bay
Free push alerts built on NOAA space weather data, plus the 72-hour forecast, cloud cover and darkness window for Green Bay.
Northern lights in Wisconsin are possible but uncommon: they need a Kp of 6 or more to reach this far south. AuroraMe tracks 7 locations across Wisconsin; 3 of them need only Kp 6, led by Bayfield.
Cities Covered
7
Monitoring locations across Wisconsin
Magnetic Latitude Range
52.0°–55.6° MLAT
Prime aurora viewing latitudes
Required Kp Index
Kp 6.0–7.0
Minimum activity for visibility
Kp Requirements by Location
Green Bay
53.5° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 7.0+ Horizon
Kp 8.0+ Optimal
Kp 9.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Madison
52.0° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 7.0+ Horizon
Kp 8.0+ Optimal
Kp 9.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Milwaukee
52.0° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 7.0+ Horizon
Kp 8.0+ Optimal
Kp 9.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Bayfield
55.6° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 6.0+ Horizon
Kp 7.0+ Optimal
Kp 8.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Superior
55.4° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 6.0+ Horizon
Kp 7.0+ Optimal
Kp 8.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Eagle River
54.8° 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
Aurora Status by City
Green Bay
Aurora possible at 53.5° magnetic latitude during active periods. KP 5+ required for visibility. Strong storms can bring impressive displays.
CURRENT STATUS
Unlikely
View
Madison
Moderate aurora potential at 52.0° magnetic latitude. Northern lights appear during stronger storms when KP reaches 5+. Best chances in winter months.
CURRENT STATUS
Unlikely
View
Milwaukee
Moderate position at 52.0° magnetic latitude. Geomagnetic storms can push the auroral oval far enough south to show aurora low on the northern horizon here.
CURRENT STATUS
Unlikely
View
Bayfield
Favorable position at 55.6° magnetic latitude for aurora watching. Geomagnetic storms bring vivid displays, and dark skies with clear weather maximize visibility.
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Superior
Favorable position at 55.4° magnetic latitude for aurora watching. Geomagnetic storms bring vivid displays, and dark skies with clear weather maximize visibility.
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Eagle River
Favorable position at 54.8° magnetic latitude for aurora watching. Geomagnetic storms bring vivid displays, and dark skies with clear weather maximize visibility.
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Sturgeon Bay
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 Wisconsin
Eagle River averages 2.2 clear nights a year with Kp at its threshold — aurora here is an event, not a season. Figures below are for Eagle River, the best-placed of the 7 locations we track in Wisconsin. 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 52.0°–55.6° MLAT
Cities Covered 7 locations
Winter Darkness 11.6 h in December
Dark Sky Sites 0 Bortle 1-3
Peak Aurora Months
Primary Peak October — 0.33 clear nights
Secondary Peak September — 0.29 clear nights
Third Best November — 0.28 clear nights
Clear Nights a Year 2.2 a year
Kp Needed Kp 6-7
Track with AuroraMe
Coverage All 7 cities
Advance Notice 30 minutes
Weather Integration Cloud cover
Predictions Best viewing times
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see the northern lights in Wisconsin?
Yes, Wisconsin offers aurora viewing opportunities. Cities like Bayfield (MLAT 55.6°) 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 Wisconsin?
Check our city pages for specific dark sky recommendations near each location.
