Northern Lights in Maine Tonight
Live aurora forecasts for 12 Maine 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Kent | … | … | Kp 3.5+ | Kp 2+ | Kp 5+ | Live forecast → |
| Caribou | … | … | Kp 4+ | Kp 2.5+ | Kp 5.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Presque Isle | … | … | Kp 4+ | Kp 2.5+ | Kp 5.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Millinocket | … | … | Kp 4.5+ | Kp 3+ | Kp 6+ | Live forecast → |
| Greenville | … | … | Kp 4.5+ | Kp 3+ | Kp 6+ | Live forecast → |
| Rangeley | … | … | Kp 5+ | Kp 3.5+ | Kp 6+ | Live forecast → |
| Bangor | … | … | Kp 5+ | Kp 3.5+ | Kp 6.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Machias | … | … | Kp 5+ | Kp 3.5+ | Kp 6.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Bar Harbor | … | … | Kp 5+ | Kp 3.5+ | Kp 6.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Augusta | … | … | Kp 5+ | Kp 3.5+ | Kp 6.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Lewiston | … | … | Kp 5+ | Kp 3.5+ | Kp 6.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Portland | … | … | Kp 5.5+ | Kp 4+ | Kp 7+ | 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 Maine
Katahdin Woods and Waters ↗
Bortle 1Certified Dark Sky Sanctuary in Maine's North Woods.
First International Dark Sky Park in New England.
Acadia National Park ↗
Bortle 3Ocean horizons and the annual Acadia Night Sky Festival.
Free Maine 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 Maine: FAQ
›Can you see the northern lights in Maine?
Yes, with the right geomagnetic activity. The best-placed location we track in Maine is Fort Kent (magnetic latitude 56.5°), which needs roughly Kp 3.5 for aurora on the northern horizon. Displays that strong happen roughly 10–25 nights per year near solar maximum. Every city's live forecast is linked below.
›When is the best time to see the northern lights in Maine?
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 Maine?
Maine's standout dark-sky locations are Katahdin Woods and Waters, Appalachian Mountain Club Maine Woods, Acadia National Park. The recipe anywhere: minimal light pollution and an unobstructed view to the north.
›What Kp index do I need in Maine?
It varies across the state: Fort Kent needs about Kp 3.5, while Portland needs about Kp 5.5. Phone cameras capture aurora roughly one Kp level earlier than eyes at every location.