Can you see the northern lights in Minnesota?
Yes, on active nights. In International Falls you need a Kp of about 5.6; in Rochester, about 6.5. Seeing the aurora from southern Minnesota is G3 (Strong) territory on NOAA's storm scale, and NOAA counts about 130 days per 11-year solar cycle at that level. Our table below also marks a city "possible" when the forecast is within one Kp of what it needs — the aurora may show low on the northern horizon, and phone cameras often pick it up before your eyes do. Source: NOAA Space Weather Scales.
Northern lights tonight in Minnesota
Tonight (Thu Oct 8, 2026): forecast peak Kp 5.7 in Minnesota.
| City | Kp needed | Tonight's peak | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Falls, MN | 5.6 | 5.7 | Likely |
| Duluth, MN | 5.9 | 5.7 | Possible, low on the horizon |
| Minneapolis, MN | 6.3 | 5.7 | Possible, low on the horizon |
| Rochester, MN | 6.5 | 5.7 | Possible, low on the horizon |
Space weather data from NOAA, updated . Refreshed every 5 minutes.
Kp needed comes from the NOAA Space Weather Scales, which give latitudes for Kp 6–9. Values for places north of about 55° geomagnetic latitude (including Alaska) are our extrapolation. NOAA notes that even at Kp 0 the edge of the auroral oval sits near 66° geomagnetic latitude, so interior Alaska can see aurora on quiet nights. How we calculate this.
Check your exact location: enter your ZIP code · get aurora alerts for Minnesota
Where to see the northern lights in Minnesota
- Voyageurs National Park (St. Louis and Koochiching Counties, near International Falls). Certified an International Dark Sky Park in December 2020 after the park retrofitted lighting under a lighting management plan. The superintendent described its skies as among the darkest in the Midwest. Source
- Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Cook, Lake and St. Louis Counties, near Ely and Grand Marais). Designated an International Dark Sky Sanctuary in late August 2020, one of 13 worldwide at the time. MPR reported it rates Bortle Level 1, with Forest Service meter readings taken in 2019 and 2020. Access is by canoe or hiking. Source
- Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park (St. Louis County, near Tower). The Minnesota DNR names this park, with Armstrong Bay and Blue Heron Island as suggested spots, among parks for northern lights viewing. It is not a DarkSky-certified place. Source
- St. Croix State Park (Pine County, near Hinckley). The Minnesota DNR lists it among parks for northern lights viewing. It is not DarkSky-certified. Source
New to aurora watching? See what Kp means and when to look.
Good to know
- The NPS advises watching from a spot with a wide, open view of the northern horizon at Voyageurs, and lists the Ash River Visitor Center grounds, Meadwood Road Day Use Area and the Rainy Lake Visitor Center upper lot as viewing areas. It says the lights appear irregularly and winter gives slightly better odds. Source
- Reader photos published May 13, 2024 show the aurora across Minnesota on May 10 and 11, 2024, including Bemidji, Park Rapids, Warroad, Rochester and Sibley State Park. Source
- The Minnesota DNR says the prime northern lights season runs roughly September through March and suggests checking both the cloud/moon forecast and the geomagnetic forecast. Source