City
Seeing the northern lights from Milwaukee
Milwaukee sits at 51.8° magnetic latitude, well away from the auroral oval. Aurora reaches it during geomagnetic storms: about Kp 5.0 for a glow on the northern horizon, and Kp 7.2 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 Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee
- Kp 7G3 strong storm: aurora on the horizon from Milwaukee
- Kp 5G1 minor storm: aurora on the horizon from Milwaukee
- Kp 3Unsettled: aurora not in view from Milwaukee
- Kp 1Quiet: aurora not in view from Milwaukee
Questions about the aurora in Milwaukee
Can you see the northern lights in Milwaukee?
Sometimes, during geomagnetic storms. It takes about Kp 5.0 to see aurora low on the northern horizon from Milwaukee, and cameras often pick it up before your eyes do.
What Kp index do you need to see the aurora in Milwaukee?
About Kp 5.0 for aurora on the northern horizon and about Kp 7.2 for aurora overhead. These come from Milwaukee's magnetic latitude of 51.8°.
Which direction should I look for the aurora in Milwaukee?
Face north (4°), 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 Milwaukee?
Activity often peaks around magnetic midnight, which falls near 12:05 AM local time in Milwaukee in December. The two hours either side are the best window.
When is aurora season in Milwaukee?
There is a dark sky every night of the year, so aurora season never closes in Milwaukee. Geomagnetic activity also tends to run higher around the March and September equinoxes.