Northern Lights Tonight in Bangor, Maine
Tonight in Bangor: aurora is unlikely. Kp peaks at 3.7, below the local Kp 5.2 threshold; clouds 30%.
Visibility now
UnlikelyKp 2.0 now (quiet); this spot needs Kp 5.2+.
Kp: NOAA SWPC · Oval: NOAA OVATION · Clouds: Open-Meteo · Updated every 15 minutes.
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Bangor aurora forecast
| EST | Kp | Chance | Status | Clouds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 PM | 3.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 29% |
| 7 PM | 3.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 26% |
| 8 PM | 3.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 72% |
| 9 PM | 3.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 100% |
| 10 PM | 3.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 30% |
| 11 PM | 3.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 2% |
Chance combines Kp against the local threshold, clouds, darkness and the moon. Hours before dark read “Too light”.
Kp is just one factor. The app adds clouds, moon, darkness, latitude and solar wind for each night.
Which nights are best?
No night in the 27-day NOAA outlook reaches Bangor's Kp 5.2; storms can still arrive at short notice.
~25 aurora nights per year
Dark nights when Kp reached 5.2, average of the last three years (GFZ Potsdam). Clouds not counted.
Average nights per month since 2015. Best months to visit: May, Sep.
Tonight's best window
If activity picks up, watch11 PM – 2 AM EST, look north, low on the horizon.
Fully dark from 5:53 PM to 4:44 AM EST.
Why this forecast?
Aurora Borealis Viewing in Bangor
Bangor is one of the better aurora cities in the Lower 48 for its size. The threshold is Kp 5.2, which a moderately strong storm reaches, and the city sits at the edge of a huge area of forest. Northern Maine has some of the least light in the eastern United States.
In town, the Penobscot River valley and a handful of open spots such as the Bangor Waterfront give a partial view. The better answer is to head north. A few miles out, the glow behind you drops quickly, and the long forest horizon is a natural dark backdrop. Winter weather is the main risk: nor’easters can shut the sky down for days.
The Katahdin region is the best place to go. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, and the area around Millinocket looks north over lakes and mountains. Moosehead Lake is another option, with a wide frozen northern view in winter.
For the whole picture, check the northern lights tonight overview or the live aurora map.
Dark-sky spots near Bangor
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
International Dark Sky Sanctuary (DarkSky International)
A large national monument in the North Woods, bordering Baxter State Park, with almost no artificial light and open views toward the north.
Moosehead Lake, Greenville
The southern shore of Maine’s largest lake. In winter the lake gives a wide open horizon toward the north.
Other cities in the US
New York
Cleveland
Detroit
Columbus
Milwaukee
Chicago
Plan your trip
Northern Lights in Bangor: Quick Guide
How often can you see the northern lights in Bangor?
What Kp do I need to see the northern lights in Bangor?
Can I see the northern lights tonight in Bangor?
Where should I look for the northern lights in Bangor?
What time is best tonight in Bangor?
Free app for iPhone and Android
Know when the sky is worth your time
The forecast on this page, watching your location all night and telling you when to step outside.
The hour tonight when Kp, clouds and darkness line up for your spot.
A push alert 30–90 minutes before the aurora reaches your sky, even at 2 AM.
Where the clouds open nearby, so you know which way to drive.
Learn more about the northern lights
How to See the Northern Lights: A Beginner's Guide
Three conditions decide whether you see the northern lights: activity at your latitude, a clear sky and darkness. Here is how to check each one.
Aurora Colors and What They Mean
Green, red, blue, purple and pink aurora explained: which gas makes each color, how high it glows, and why your camera shows more than your eyes.
Northern Lights in Canada: Best Places
The best places to see the northern lights in Canada: Yellowknife, Whitehorse, Churchill, Jasper and the prairies, plus what Ontario and Quebec get.
Northern Lights in Scotland
Where to see the northern lights in Scotland: north coast, islands, Cairngorms and dark sky parks, when the sky is dark enough, and how to beat cloud.
Northern Lights in Norway
Where to see the northern lights in Norway, which months work, why the coast and inland need different plans, and what Oslo gets in a storm.
Aurora Australis Forecast Guide
How to read a forecast for the southern lights: Kp, Bz, the southern oval, darkness, moon and cloud, plus where to look in Tasmania and southern Australia.
Kp index today
Live Kp, the 3-day and 27-day forecast, and what Kp each city needs.
Geomagnetic storm today
G-scale now, the storm outlook and how far south the aurora reaches.