Northern Lights Tonight in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Tonight in Milwaukee: aurora is unlikely. Kp peaks at 3.7, below the local Kp 5.1 threshold; clouds 24%.
Visibility now
UnlikelyKp 2.0 now (quiet); this spot needs Kp 5.1+.
Kp: NOAA SWPC · Oval: NOAA OVATION · Clouds: Open-Meteo · Updated every 15 minutes.
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Milwaukee aurora forecast
| CST | Kp | Chance | Status | Clouds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 PM | 3.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 100% |
| 7 PM | 3.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 100% |
| 8 PM | 3.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 2% |
| 9 PM | 3.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 0% |
| 10 PM | 3.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 0% |
| 11 PM | 2.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 62% |
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 Milwaukee's Kp 5.1; storms can still arrive at short notice.
~24 aurora nights per year
Dark nights when Kp reached 5.1, 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, watch2 AM – 5 AM CST, look north, low on the horizon.
Fully dark from 6:11 PM to 5 AM CST.
Why this forecast?
Aurora Borealis Viewing in Milwaukee
Milwaukee has a fair chance at the aurora in a strong storm. The threshold is Kp 5.1, which comes up in the big events of a solar cycle. On those nights the glow forms a green or red arc to the north, and the lake helps more than most cities get.
The key is that Lake Michigan lies to the east. A northward view along the shoreline goes past the north-side suburbs and then out over open water, and the Lake Park bluff and the lakefront near Bradford Beach let you see farther than you would from downtown streets. The city glow still rises behind you.
Harrington Beach State Park, about an hour north, is a good first stop. For a full dark sky, go to Door County, where Newport State Park is a Dark Sky Park at the end of a long drive. The Kettle Moraine to the west has hills and open fields as a backup. Cloud off the lake can close in quickly in winter, so check the forecast before you leave.
For the whole picture, check the northern lights tonight overview or the live aurora map.
Dark-sky spots near Milwaukee
Harrington Beach State Park
A Lake Michigan beach north of Milwaukee. Look over open water along the shore with less light than the city.
Newport State Park
International Dark Sky Park (DarkSky International)
A Door County park on the tip of the peninsula, designated in 2017. Shore views north over Lake Michigan. A long drive from Milwaukee.
Other cities in the US
Chicago
Detroit
Columbus
Cleveland
New York
Denver
Plan your trip
Northern Lights in Milwaukee: Quick Guide
How often can you see the northern lights in Milwaukee?
What Kp do I need to see the northern lights in Milwaukee?
Can I see the northern lights tonight in Milwaukee?
Where should I look for the northern lights in Milwaukee?
What time is best tonight in Milwaukee?
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.