Northern Lights Tonight in Washington
Washington sees aurora in strong storms: the north and east from about Kp 4.8, the Seattle and Puget Sound area closer to Kp 5.2, with clearer skies east of the Cascades. Tonight's peak Kp is 3.7 (active): aurora is unlikely anywhere in Washington.
Best chance in Washington tonight
UnlikelyBellingham: unlikely, peak Kp 3.7 against Kp 4.8 needed, clouds 78%.
Kp requirements by location
1Bellingham
| 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
| 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
| On the horizon | Kp 5.0 |
| Clearly visible | Kp 6.0 |
| Bright, overhead | Kp 7.0 |
Kp now 2.0: 3.0 short of the horizon
4Yakima
| On the horizon | Kp 5.2 |
| Clearly visible | Kp 6.2 |
| Bright, overhead | Kp 7.2 |
Kp now 2.0: 3.2 short of the horizon
Best dark sky viewing locations
Hurricane Ridge (Olympic National Park)
A ridge at over 5,000 feet that faces north over the Strait of Juan de Fuca. You may see across the water when the cloud allows.
Paved Hurricane Ridge Road from Port Angeles; winter access can be limited.
Dry Falls (Sun Lakes State Park)
A dry cliff over a coulee in the Columbia Basin, with clear skies in the rain shadow and few lights to the north.
Paved WA-17 from Coulee City; the visitor center closes early.
Goldendale Observatory State Park
A public observatory on a hilltop north of the Columbia Gorge, in a dry area with a good view of the sky. It does not currently hold a dark-sky designation.
Paved road from Goldendale; check the park for hours.
Aurora status by city
Bellingham
Spokane
Seattle
Yakima
What time to look tonight in Washington
Best window tonight: 12 AM – 2 AM PST at Bellingham. Look north-northeast, low on the horizon; the hours around local midnight are usually the most active.
Best viewing season in Washington
Washington's dark season runs from autumn to early spring, and east of the Cascades is the place to be. Spokane, the Okanogan and the Columbia Basin sit in the rain shadow, with far more clear nights than Seattle. Mountains and trees can block a low northern view, so choose open ground.
West of the Cascades, Pacific storms bring weeks of winter overcast, and Seattle's light dome washes out the south of the Sound. Better options are the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the San Juan Islands and the northern coast, which have open water to the north. When the forecast turns, cross the passes.
Peak aurora months
At Bellingham, Kp most often reaches the threshold on dark nights in March, May, September and October.
GFZ Potsdam Kp since 2015; clouds not counted.
Washington northern lights FAQ
Can you see the northern lights in Washington?
Can I see the northern lights in Washington tonight?
Where are the darkest skies in Washington?
What Kp do I need to see the northern lights in Washington?
Free app for iPhone and Android
Track aurora across Washington
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.