Can you see the northern lights in Wisconsin?
Yes, on active nights. In Superior you need a Kp of about 5.9; in Madison, about 6.6. Seeing the aurora from southern Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
Tonight (Thu Oct 8, 2026): forecast peak Kp 5.7 in Wisconsin.
| City | Kp needed | Tonight's peak | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superior, WI | 5.9 | 5.7 | Possible, low on the horizon |
| Green Bay, WI | 6.3 | 5.7 | Possible, low on the horizon |
| Madison, WI | 6.6 | 5.7 | Possible, low on the horizon |
| Milwaukee, WI | 6.6 | 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 Wisconsin
Where to see the northern lights in Wisconsin
- Newport State Park (Door County, near Ellison Bay). Wisconsin's first International Dark Sky Park, designated in 2017. It lies on the Lake Michigan shore at the far end of the Door Peninsula, and the DNR calls it one of the darkest spots in the state. Source
- Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (Bayfield County, near Bayfield). Recreation.gov notes the aurora's glow sometimes reflects off Lake Superior here, which lies to the north of the mainland shore. It is not DarkSky-certified. Source
- Wisconsin Point (Douglas County, Superior). A Superior photographer interviewed by Wisconsin Public Radio names Wisconsin Point as a favorite local spot for the lights in the Twin Ports, next to Lake Superior. It is near city lights and not DarkSky-certified. Source
New to aurora watching? See what Kp means and when to look.
Good to know
- Wisconsin Public Radio reported on November 18, 2025 that the northern lights were especially striking in the Twin Ports the previous week. Source