Northern Lights in California Tonight
Live aurora forecasts for 8 California locations, the Kp threshold each one needs, and the state's best dark-sky viewing spots.
The solar wind reaching Earth in ~50 minutes is carrying real aurora energy, so activity should climb within the hour. Check your city below.
Live forecast by city
| City | Eye tonight | Camera tonight | Eye needs | Camera needs | Overhead at | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eureka | … | … | Kp 8.5+ | Kp 7.5+ | Kp 9.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Redding | … | … | Kp 8.5+ | Kp 7.5+ | Kp 9.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Sacramento | … | … | Kp 9.5+ | Kp 8+ | Kp 9.5+ | Live forecast → |
| San Francisco | … | … | Kp 9.5+ | Kp 8.5+ | Kp 9.5+ | Live forecast → |
| San Jose | … | … | Kp 9.5+ | Kp 9+ | Kp 9.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Fresno | … | … | Kp 9.5+ | Kp 9+ | Kp 9.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Los Angeles | … | … | Kp 9.5+ | Kp 9.5+ | Kp 9.5+ | Live forecast → |
| San Diego | … | … | Kp 9.5+ | Kp 9.5+ | Kp 9.5+ | Live forecast → |
Eye/camera tonight = chance of seeing (or photographing) aurora at some point tonight, from the Kp forecast, cloud forecast, and moon. Camera threshold = the Kp at which a phone night-mode shot picks up aurora your eyes can't see yet.
Best dark-sky viewing spots in California
Death Valley National Park ↗
Bortle 1The largest Dark Sky Park in the US, with Gold Tier skies.
Free California sky alerts, no app required
One email when aurora conditions align at your location, plus meteor reminder and go-time emails for peaks worth watching. Web alerts cover one US location per email.
Northern lights in California: FAQ
›Can you see the northern lights in California?
Yes, with the right geomagnetic activity. The best-placed location we track in California is Eureka (magnetic latitude 46.1°), which needs roughly Kp 8.5 for aurora on the northern horizon. Displays that strong happen only during rare extreme (G5) superstorms. Every city's live forecast is linked below.
›When is the best time to see the northern lights in California?
September through April, roughly 10 PM to 2 AM local time. Geomagnetic activity statistically peaks around the equinoxes (September/October and March/April), and long dark nights beat summer twilight. We're near the maximum of Solar Cycle 25, so 2026–2027 is prime time.
›Where are the best places to watch aurora in California?
California's standout dark-sky locations are Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park. The recipe anywhere: minimal light pollution and an unobstructed view to the north.
›What Kp index do I need in California?
It varies across the state: Eureka needs about Kp 8.5, while San Diego needs about Kp 9.5. Phone cameras capture aurora roughly one Kp level earlier than eyes at every location.