Northern Lights Tonight in Spokane, Washington
Tonight in Spokane: aurora is unlikely. Kp peaks at 3.7, below the local Kp 4.8 threshold; clouds 75%. Next possible window: Nov 17.
Visibility now
UnlikelyKp 2.0 now (quiet); this spot needs Kp 4.8+.
Kp: NOAA SWPC · Oval: NOAA OVATION · Clouds: Open-Meteo · Updated every 15 minutes.
Get a 72-hour aurora forecast and free alerts for Spokane
Spokane aurora forecast
| PST | 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 | 100% |
| 9 PM | 2.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 100% |
| 10 PM | 2.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 44% |
| 11 PM | 2.7 | 10 of 100 | Unlikely | 84% |
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?
The first night in the NOAA outlook that reaches Spokane's Kp 4.8 is Nov 17.
~35 aurora nights per year
Dark nights when Kp reached 4.8, average of the last three years (GFZ Potsdam). Clouds not counted.
Average nights per month since 2015. Best months to visit: Mar, May, Sep, Oct.
Tonight's best window
If activity picks up, watch2 AM – 5 AM PST, look north, low on the horizon.
Fully dark from 6:06 PM to 5:01 AM PST.
Why this forecast?
Aurora Borealis Viewing in Spokane
Spokane is one of the better aurora cities in the northwestern Lower 48. The threshold is Kp 4.8, a strong but not extreme storm, and the city lies far enough inland that winters are drier than in Seattle. When a storm lands, the glow rises over the Selkirk foothills to the north.
The city glow is modest compared with western Washington, but the sprawl to the north, along the Division Street corridor and out to Mead, lights the part of the sky you most want dark. Riverfront Park and the South Hill give a clear view, but the lights are close. Go out to the north and east for better views.
Mount Spokane State Park gives you elevation and open slopes with an unobstructed northern view over the foothills, though the road conditions in winter require care. Lake Roosevelt to the west is another large, dark open area. Watch the cloud forecast: an inversion can fill the valley with low cloud for days in winter.
For the whole picture, check the northern lights tonight overview or the live aurora map.
Dark-sky spots near Spokane
Mount Spokane State Park
A mountain park northeast of the city, with higher ground above valley haze. Check winter road conditions before you go.
Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area
A long reservoir on the Columbia west of Spokane. Few lights and open shoreline give a dark sky.
Other cities in the US
Seattle
Boise
Portland
Denver
Los Angeles
Juneau
Plan your trip
Northern Lights in Spokane: Quick Guide
How often can you see the northern lights in Spokane?
What Kp do I need to see the northern lights in Spokane?
Can I see the northern lights tonight in Spokane?
Where should I look for the northern lights in Spokane?
What time is best tonight in Spokane?
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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.