Northern Lights in Indiana Tonight
Live aurora forecasts for 5 Indiana locations, the Kp threshold each one needs, and the state's best dark-sky viewing spots.
Reading the solar wind…
Live forecast by city
| City | Eye tonight | Camera tonight | Eye needs | Camera needs | Overhead at | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Bend | … | … | Kp 6.5+ | Kp 5+ | Kp 8+ | Live forecast → |
| Fort Wayne | … | … | Kp 7+ | Kp 5.5+ | Kp 8+ | Live forecast → |
| Indianapolis | … | … | Kp 7.5+ | Kp 6+ | Kp 9+ | Live forecast → |
| Bloomington | … | … | Kp 7.5+ | Kp 6.5+ | Kp 9+ | Live forecast → |
| Evansville | … | … | Kp 8.5+ | Kp 7+ | 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 Indiana
Beverly Shores ↗
Bortle 4Dark Sky Community on the Indiana Dunes lakeshore.
Free Indiana 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 Indiana: FAQ
›Can you see the northern lights in Indiana?
Yes, with the right geomagnetic activity. The best-placed location we track in Indiana is South Bend (magnetic latitude 50.7°), which needs roughly Kp 6.5 for aurora on the northern horizon. Displays that strong happen a few nights per year, only during severe (G3+) geomagnetic storms. Every city's live forecast is linked below.
›When is the best time to see the northern lights in Indiana?
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 Indiana?
Indiana's standout dark-sky locations are Beverly Shores. The recipe anywhere: minimal light pollution and an unobstructed view to the north.
›What Kp index do I need in Indiana?
It varies across the state: South Bend needs about Kp 6.5, while Evansville needs about Kp 8.5. Phone cameras capture aurora roughly one Kp level earlier than eyes at every location.