Northern Lights Tonight in Chicago, Illinois
Tonight in Chicago: aurora is unlikely. Kp peaks at 3.7, below the local Kp 5.4 threshold; clouds 40%.
Visibility now
UnlikelyKp 2.0 now (quiet); this spot needs Kp 5.4+.
Kp: NOAA SWPC · Oval: NOAA OVATION · Clouds: Open-Meteo · Updated every 15 minutes.
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Chicago aurora forecast
| CST | Kp | Chance | Status | Clouds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 PM | 3.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 85% |
| 7 PM | 3.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 13% |
| 8 PM | 3.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 0% |
| 9 PM | 3.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 0% |
| 10 PM | 3.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 3% |
| 11 PM | 2.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 90% |
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 Chicago's Kp 5.4; storms can still arrive at short notice.
~16 aurora nights per year
Dark nights when Kp reached 5.4, average of the last three years (GFZ Potsdam). Clouds not counted.
Average nights per month since 2015. Best months to visit: Mar, May, Sep.
Tonight's best window
If activity picks up, watch3 AM – 5 AM CST, look north, low on the horizon.
Fully dark from 6:10 PM to 4:58 AM CST.
Why this forecast?
Aurora Borealis Viewing in Chicago
Chicago can see aurora only in a strong storm. The threshold is Kp 5.4, a level reached a few times in a typical solar cycle. The glow, if it shows, is a faint arc low over Lake Michigan, and a phone camera on a tripod will catch it before the naked eye.
The lake is the city’s one advantage. Looking north along the shore from Montrose Point, you see over open water with the skyline behind you, and the Lincoln Park lakefront is the natural vantage. The problem is the glow from the northern suburbs and the Wisconsin line, which lights the lower sky. Cloud and lake fog in winter shut things down as well.
To get a real dark horizon, go north or south of the metro. Illinois Beach State Park, on the Wisconsin line, has dune and shoreline open to the north. For dark sky with an official name, Middle Fork River Forest Preserve, northeast of Champaign, is an International Dark Sky Park, a long drive from the city. Check the forecast for clear skies before committing.
For the whole picture, check the northern lights tonight overview or the live aurora map.
Dark-sky spots near Chicago
Illinois Beach State Park
Dunes and shoreline at the Wisconsin border. Open view north over Lake Michigan with fewer lights than the city.
Middle Fork River Forest Preserve
International Dark Sky Park (DarkSky International)
International Dark Sky Park designated in 2018, in Champaign County. Farm fields and a dedicated viewing area. A long drive from Chicago.
Other cities in the US
Milwaukee
Detroit
Columbus
Cleveland
New York
Denver
Plan your trip
Northern Lights in Chicago: Quick Guide
How often can you see the northern lights in Chicago?
What Kp do I need to see the northern lights in Chicago?
Can I see the northern lights tonight in Chicago?
Where should I look for the northern lights in Chicago?
What time is best tonight in Chicago?
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.