Northern Lights Tonight in Iowa
Iowa sees aurora in strong storms: the north needs about Kp 5.1 and the south about Kp 5.5, with open farmland and river bluffs that give a low northern horizon. Tonight's peak Kp is 3.7 (active): aurora is unlikely anywhere in Iowa.
Best chance in Iowa tonight
UnlikelyMason City: unlikely, peak Kp 3.7 against Kp 5.1 needed, clouds 11%.
Kp requirements by location
1Mason City
| On the horizon | Kp 5.1 |
| Clearly visible | Kp 6.1 |
| Bright, overhead | Kp 7.1 |
Kp now 2.0: 3.1 short of the horizon
2Decorah
| On the horizon | Kp 5.1 |
| Clearly visible | Kp 6.1 |
| Bright, overhead | Kp 7.1 |
Kp now 2.0: 3.1 short of the horizon
3Sioux City
| On the horizon | Kp 5.3 |
| Clearly visible | Kp 6.3 |
| Bright, overhead | Kp 7.3 |
Kp now 2.0: 3.3 short of the horizon
4Davenport
| On the horizon | Kp 5.4 |
| Clearly visible | Kp 6.4 |
| Bright, overhead | Kp 7.4 |
Kp now 2.0: 3.4 short of the horizon
5Des Moines
| On the horizon | Kp 5.5 |
| Clearly visible | Kp 6.5 |
| Bright, overhead | Kp 7.5 |
Kp now 2.0: 3.5 short of the horizon
Best dark sky viewing locations
Backbone State Park
Iowa's oldest state park, a wooded ridge in the northeast with little town lighting. Use open areas by the lake for a clear view north.
Paved state roads from Dundee or Strawberry Point.
Pikes Peak State Park
A bluff above the Mississippi River at McGregor. The overlooks give a wide view over the river valley, with towns on the east side.
Paved road from McGregor; overlooks are a short walk.
Ledges State Park
Sandstone bluffs on the Des Moines River valley, one of the nearest dark places to the Des Moines area, though not as dark as the northeast.
Paved county road from Madrid or Boone.
Aurora status by city
Mason City
Decorah
Sioux City
Davenport
Des Moines
What time to look tonight in Iowa
Best window tonight: 2 AM – 5 AM CST at Mason City. Look north, low on the horizon; the hours around local midnight are usually the most active.
Best viewing season in Iowa
Iowa's best aurora chances come in late autumn and early spring, with cold fronts leaving crisp, clear nights. Winter nights are the longest, but heavy snow and low stratus can cover the sky for days. Northern counties close to Minnesota have the best geometry.
The land is flat or gently rolling, which gives a low horizon almost everywhere. Light pollution in Iowa is moderate. Des Moines and the Quad Cities glow, but farmland between them is dark. The Driftless bluffs in the northeast and the Loess Hills in the west are scenic places to look north.
Peak aurora months
At Mason City, Kp most often reaches the threshold on dark nights in May and September.
GFZ Potsdam Kp since 2015; clouds not counted.
Iowa northern lights FAQ
Can you see the northern lights in Iowa?
Can I see the northern lights in Iowa tonight?
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What Kp do I need to see the northern lights in Iowa?
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Track aurora across Iowa
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.
Explore more
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.