Northern Lights Tonight in Minot, North Dakota

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

What Kp do you need in Minot?

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 Minot.

Which way to look from Minot

Face north. From Minot 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 Minot

Minot sits further north and west than Fargo or Grand Forks, putting it closer to the Canadian border and giving it the best odds of the three major North Dakota cities on any given night.

Where locals actually go

Like the rest of northern North Dakota, the open prairie surrounding Minot means light pollution is the main thing to manage, not terrain; a short drive from downtown is usually enough.

Best time of year

Long, dark prairie nights from late autumn through early spring give Minot some of the state's best viewing odds.

Will I see the aurora in Minot tonight?

Right now, Minot has a 2% chance based on tonight's real conditions: Kp 1.7 and 38% 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 →