Northern Lights in Montana Tonight
Live aurora forecasts for 12 Montana 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Havre | … | … | Kp 4+ | Kp 2.5+ | Kp 5.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Glasgow | … | … | Kp 4+ | Kp 2.5+ | Kp 5.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Whitefish | … | … | Kp 4.5+ | Kp 3+ | Kp 6+ | Live forecast → |
| Kalispell | … | … | Kp 4.5+ | Kp 3+ | Kp 6+ | Live forecast → |
| Great Falls | … | … | Kp 4.5+ | Kp 3.5+ | Kp 6+ | Live forecast → |
| Missoula | … | … | Kp 5+ | Kp 3.5+ | Kp 6.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Helena | … | … | Kp 5+ | Kp 3.5+ | Kp 6.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Miles City | … | … | Kp 5+ | Kp 3.5+ | Kp 6.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Butte | … | … | Kp 5.5+ | Kp 4+ | Kp 7+ | Live forecast → |
| Billings | … | … | Kp 5.5+ | Kp 4+ | Kp 7+ | Live forecast → |
| Bozeman | … | … | Kp 5.5+ | Kp 4+ | Kp 7+ | Live forecast → |
| West Yellowstone | … | … | Kp 6+ | Kp 4.5+ | Kp 7.5+ | 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 Montana
Glacier National Park ↗
Bortle 1Transboundary International Dark Sky Park at 48.7°N, prime aurora latitude.
Medicine Rocks State Park ↗
Bortle 1Montana badlands sanctuary with pristine skies.
Free Montana 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 Montana: FAQ
›Can you see the northern lights in Montana?
Yes, with the right geomagnetic activity. The best-placed location we track in Montana is Havre (magnetic latitude 55.6°), which needs roughly Kp 4 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 Montana?
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 Montana?
Montana's standout dark-sky locations are Glacier National Park, Medicine Rocks State Park. The recipe anywhere: minimal light pollution and an unobstructed view to the north.
›What Kp index do I need in Montana?
It varies across the state: Havre needs about Kp 4, while West Yellowstone needs about Kp 6. Phone cameras capture aurora roughly one Kp level earlier than eyes at every location.