Northern Lights in Utah Tonight
Live aurora forecasts for 5 Utah 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logan | … | … | Kp 7.5+ | Kp 6+ | Kp 9+ | Live forecast → |
| Ogden | … | … | Kp 8+ | Kp 6.5+ | Kp 9+ | Live forecast → |
| Salt Lake City | … | … | Kp 8+ | Kp 6.5+ | Kp 9.5+ | Live forecast → |
| Provo | … | … | Kp 8+ | Kp 7+ | Kp 9.5+ | Live forecast → |
| St. George | … | … | Kp 9.5+ | Kp 8.5+ | 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 Utah
The world's first International Dark Sky Park.
Bryce Canyon National Park ↗
Bortle 18,000-foot elevation and famous astronomy festivals.
Capitol Reef National Park ↗
Bortle 1Gold Tier skies in Utah's red-rock country.
Free Utah 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 Utah: FAQ
›Can you see the northern lights in Utah?
Yes, with the right geomagnetic activity. The best-placed location we track in Utah is Logan (magnetic latitude 48.6°), which needs roughly Kp 7.5 for aurora on the northern horizon. Displays that strong happen roughly once or twice a year, during extreme (G4–G5) storms. Every city's live forecast is linked below.
›When is the best time to see the northern lights in Utah?
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 Utah?
Utah's standout dark-sky locations are Natural Bridges National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Fremont Indian State Park. The recipe anywhere: minimal light pollution and an unobstructed view to the north.
›What Kp index do I need in Utah?
It varies across the state: Logan needs about Kp 7.5, while St. George needs about Kp 9.5. Phone cameras capture aurora roughly one Kp level earlier than eyes at every location.