Northern Lights Tonight in Duluth, Minnesota

Live visibility odds for Duluth, combining the current geomagnetic Kp index with real local cloud cover, not just one or the other.

What Kp do you need in Duluth?

Those frequencies are how often the geomagnetic threshold itself is reached, before weather. Cloud cover, moonlight and local light pollution all cut into it, which is why the live score at the top of this page multiplies the geomagnetic odds by tonight's actual sky over Duluth.

Which way to look from Duluth

Face north. From Duluth the auroral oval sits well to the north, so activity shows up as a glow low on the northern horizon rather than overhead — which means a clear, unobstructed northern view matters more here than total darkness does.

About aurora viewing in Duluth

Duluth sits on the shore of Lake Superior and serves as the gateway to some of the darkest skies in the continental US. Voyageurs National Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness are both within a few hours' drive, and both are certified International Dark Sky locations.

Where locals actually go

For a shorter trip, the north shore of Lake Superior offers open, north-facing views over the water. For the real dark-sky experience, Voyageurs National Park's Rainy Lake Visitor Center overlook is a National Park Service–recommended spot, and its lakes reflect the aurora on calm nights.

Best time of year

Best viewed away from Duluth's own light dome, even a short drive along the shore makes a real difference.

Will I see the aurora in Duluth tonight?

Right now, Duluth has a 3% chance based on tonight's real conditions: Kp 1.7 and 61% clear skies. Unlikely. This updates live, so check back closer to dark for the most accurate read, especially if the sky is currently cloudy where you are.

A good Kp forecast isn't the whole story. See what else actually determines whether you'll see it →