Northern Lights in Texas Tonight
Live aurora forecasts for 8 Texas 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo | … | … | Kp 9.5+ | Kp 8.5+ | Kp 9.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Lubbock | … | … | Kp 9.5+ | Kp 9.5+ | Kp 9.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Dallas | … | … | Kp 9.5+ | Kp 9.5+ | Kp 9.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Fort Worth | … | … | Kp 9.5+ | Kp 9.5+ | Kp 9.5+ | Live forecast → |
| El Paso | … | … | Kp 9.5+ | Kp 9.5+ | Kp 9.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Austin | … | … | Kp 9.5+ | Kp 9.5+ | Kp 9.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Houston | … | … | Kp 9.5+ | Kp 9.5+ | Kp 9.5+ | Live forecast → |
| San Antonio | … | … | Kp 9.5+ | Kp 9.5+ | 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 Texas
Big Bend National Park ↗
Bortle 1The darkest measured skies of any US national park.
Free Texas 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 Texas: FAQ
›Can you see the northern lights in Texas?
Yes, with the right geomagnetic activity. The best-placed location we track in Texas is Amarillo (magnetic latitude 43.2°), which needs roughly Kp 9.5 for aurora on the northern horizon. Displays that strong happen only during rare extreme (G5) superstorms. Every city's live forecast is linked below.
›When is the best time to see the northern lights in Texas?
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 Texas?
Texas's standout dark-sky locations are Big Bend National Park. The recipe anywhere: minimal light pollution and an unobstructed view to the north.
›What Kp index do I need in Texas?
It varies across the state: Amarillo needs about Kp 9.5, while San Antonio needs about Kp 9.5. Phone cameras capture aurora roughly one Kp level earlier than eyes at every location.