Northern Lights in Pennsylvania Tonight
Live aurora forecasts for 6 Pennsylvania 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erie | … | … | Kp 6+ | Kp 4.5+ | Kp 7.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Scranton | … | … | Kp 6.5+ | Kp 5+ | Kp 8+ | Live forecast → |
| Allentown | … | … | Kp 7+ | Kp 5.5+ | Kp 8.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Pittsburgh | … | … | Kp 7+ | Kp 5.5+ | Kp 8.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Harrisburg | … | … | Kp 7+ | Kp 5.5+ | Kp 8.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Philadelphia | … | … | Kp 7+ | Kp 6+ | 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 Pennsylvania
Cherry Springs State Park ↗
Bortle 2The East Coast's most famous dark-sky park; astronomy field with 360° horizons.
Free Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania: FAQ
›Can you see the northern lights in Pennsylvania?
Yes, with the right geomagnetic activity. The best-placed location we track in Pennsylvania is Erie (magnetic latitude 51.3°), which needs roughly Kp 6 for aurora on the northern horizon. Displays that strong happen a handful of nights per year, during strong (G2–G3) storms. Every city's live forecast is linked below.
›When is the best time to see the northern lights in Pennsylvania?
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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's standout dark-sky locations are Cherry Springs State Park. The recipe anywhere: minimal light pollution and an unobstructed view to the north.
›What Kp index do I need in Pennsylvania?
It varies across the state: Erie needs about Kp 6, while Philadelphia needs about Kp 7. Phone cameras capture aurora roughly one Kp level earlier than eyes at every location.