Northern Lights in New York Tonight
Live aurora forecasts for 16 New York 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plattsburgh | … | … | Kp 5+ | Kp 3.5+ | Kp 6.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Saranac Lake | … | … | Kp 5+ | Kp 3.5+ | Kp 6.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Lake Placid | … | … | Kp 5+ | Kp 3.5+ | Kp 6.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Watertown | … | … | Kp 5.5+ | Kp 4+ | Kp 6.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Old Forge | … | … | Kp 5.5+ | Kp 4+ | Kp 7+ | Live forecast → |
| Rochester | … | … | Kp 5.5+ | Kp 4+ | Kp 7+ | Live forecast → |
| Utica | … | … | Kp 5.5+ | Kp 4+ | Kp 7+ | Live forecast → |
| Niagara Falls | … | … | Kp 5.5+ | Kp 4+ | Kp 7+ | Live forecast → |
| Syracuse | … | … | Kp 5.5+ | Kp 4+ | Kp 7+ | Live forecast → |
| Buffalo | … | … | Kp 6+ | Kp 4.5+ | Kp 7.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Albany | … | … | Kp 6+ | Kp 4.5+ | Kp 7.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Ithaca | … | … | Kp 6+ | Kp 4.5+ | Kp 7.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Binghamton | … | … | Kp 6+ | Kp 4.5+ | Kp 7.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Poughkeepsie | … | … | Kp 6.5+ | Kp 5+ | Kp 8+ | Live forecast → |
| Yonkers | … | … | Kp 6.5+ | Kp 5.5+ | Kp 8+ | Live forecast → |
| New York | … | … | Kp 7+ | Kp 5.5+ | Kp 8.5+ | 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 New York
Adirondack High Peaks ↗
Bortle 2The darkest skies in New York, minutes from Lake Placid.
Public observatory and star field in the Adirondacks.
Free New York 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 New York: FAQ
›Can you see the northern lights in New York?
Yes, with the right geomagnetic activity. The best-placed location we track in New York is Plattsburgh (magnetic latitude 54°), which needs roughly Kp 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 New York?
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 New York?
New York's standout dark-sky locations are Adirondack High Peaks, Tupper Lake / Adirondack Sky Center. The recipe anywhere: minimal light pollution and an unobstructed view to the north.
›What Kp index do I need in New York?
It varies across the state: Plattsburgh needs about Kp 5, while New York needs about Kp 7. Phone cameras capture aurora roughly one Kp level earlier than eyes at every location.