City
Seeing the northern lights from Boise
Boise sits at 49.9° magnetic latitude, well away from the auroral oval. Aurora reaches it during geomagnetic storms: about Kp 6.0 for a glow on the northern horizon, and Kp 8.2 or more for a display overhead.
Dark hours by month
Hours each night with the sun at least 12° below the horizon, on the 15th of each month.
There is a dark sky every night of the year, so aurora season never closes in Boise. Geomagnetic activity also tends to run higher around the March and September equinoxes.
What each storm level means here
The higher the Kp index, the farther the oval spreads toward the equator.
- Kp 9G5 extreme storm: aurora overhead from Boise
- Kp 7G3 strong storm: aurora on the horizon from Boise
- Kp 5G1 minor storm: aurora not in view from Boise
- Kp 3Unsettled: aurora not in view from Boise
- Kp 1Quiet: aurora not in view from Boise
Questions about the aurora in Boise
Can you see the northern lights in Boise?
Sometimes, during geomagnetic storms. It takes about Kp 6.0 to see aurora low on the northern horizon from Boise, and cameras often pick it up before your eyes do.
What Kp index do you need to see the aurora in Boise?
About Kp 6.0 for aurora on the northern horizon and about Kp 8.2 for aurora overhead. These come from Boise's magnetic latitude of 49.9°.
Which direction should I look for the aurora in Boise?
Face north (10°), toward the magnetic pole. That is where the aurora rises first. In a strong storm it can spread across the whole sky.
What time of night is best for the aurora in Boise?
Activity often peaks around magnetic midnight, which falls near 1:10 AM local time in Boise in December. The two hours either side are the best window.
When is aurora season in Boise?
There is a dark sky every night of the year, so aurora season never closes in Boise. Geomagnetic activity also tends to run higher around the March and September equinoxes.