Northern Lights Tonight in Ely, Minnesota

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

What Kp do you need in Ely?

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 Ely.

Which way to look from Ely

Face north. From Ely 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 Ely

Ely is the main gateway town into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, over a million acres of protected, roadless lake country with some of the darkest skies remaining in the continental US.

Where locals actually go

Most Boundary Waters viewing happens from a canoe or a lakeshore campsite well past the edge of town; paddling out even a short distance from Ely puts you under genuinely dark sky, with the aurora often reflected on still water.

Best time of year

The Boundary Waters is remote by design, so plan around permit requirements and access points rather than a single fixed viewing spot.

Will I see the aurora in Ely tonight?

Right now, Ely has a 5% chance based on tonight's real conditions: Kp 1.7 and 71% 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 →