Northern Lights Tonight in Montana
Montana's northern border puts the Hi-Line and Glacier country within reach of regular aurora at Kp 4.2, while Billings and the south need Kp 4.9. Tonight's peak Kp is 3.7 (active): aurora is unlikely anywhere in Montana.
Best chance in Montana tonight
UnlikelyGlasgow: unlikely, peak Kp 3.7 against Kp 4.2 needed, clouds 100%.
Kp requirements by location
1Glasgow
| On the horizon | Kp 4.2 |
| Clearly visible | Kp 5.2 |
| Bright, overhead | Kp 6.2 |
Kp now 2.0: 2.2 short of the horizon
2Kalispell
| On the horizon | Kp 4.5 |
| Clearly visible | Kp 5.5 |
| Bright, overhead | Kp 6.5 |
Kp now 2.0: 2.5 short of the horizon
3Great Falls
| On the horizon | Kp 4.6 |
| Clearly visible | Kp 5.6 |
| Bright, overhead | Kp 6.6 |
Kp now 2.0: 2.6 short of the horizon
4Missoula
| On the horizon | Kp 4.8 |
| Clearly visible | Kp 5.8 |
| Bright, overhead | Kp 6.8 |
Kp now 2.0: 2.8 short of the horizon
5Billings
| On the horizon | Kp 4.9 |
| Clearly visible | Kp 5.9 |
| Bright, overhead | Kp 6.9 |
Kp now 2.0: 2.9 short of the horizon
Best dark sky viewing locations
Glacier National Park (Lake McDonald)
International Dark Sky Park (DarkSky International), as Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park
The lake shore has an open view down the valley, though mountains block the sky to the north. Aim for Logan Pass or north-facing pullouts.
Going-to-the-Sun Road is paved; the upper road closes with snow until late June.
Flathead Lake (Polson Bay)
The largest freshwater lake in the western US. The wide lake gives an open horizon from the shore, with towns well to the south.
Paved US-93 and public shoreline access points.
Makoshika State Park
Badlands on the eastern plains near Glendive, with wide-open prairie skies and little light on the horizon in every direction.
Paved park road from Glendive.
Aurora status by city
Glasgow
Kalispell
Great Falls
Missoula
Billings
What time to look tonight in Montana
Best window tonight: 10 PM – 2 AM MST at Glasgow. Look north, low on the horizon; the hours around local midnight are usually the most active.
Best viewing season in Montana
Montana has long winter nights and some of the lowest light pollution in the lower 48. The northern tier, from Glacier east along the Hi-Line, is the best-placed region. Autumn and early spring give mild nights with good clear spells, and winter nights are longest but very cold.
East of the Continental Divide the sky is large and dry, and clear nights are common between storm systems. West of the Divide, valley inversions and winter cloud can lock in for days. Mountains can cut off a low northern horizon, so aim for lake shores, high plains or open passes.
Peak aurora months
At Glasgow, Kp most often reaches the threshold on dark nights in March, September, October and November.
GFZ Potsdam Kp since 2015; clouds not counted.
Montana northern lights FAQ
Can you see the northern lights in Montana?
Can I see the northern lights in Montana tonight?
Where are the darkest skies in Montana?
What Kp do I need to see the northern lights in Montana?
Free app for iPhone and Android
Track aurora across Montana
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.