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Northern lights Vermont tonight

Northern Vermont sits at ~55°N magnetic latitude and needs Kp 5. The Northeast Kingdom near the Quebec border gives Bortle 2-3 sky with a north-facing open horizon. Jay Peak and Newport are within 10 km of Canada. Vermont has some of the darkest skies in New England, making it one of the better aurora states on the east coast. Best season: September to April.

Aurora visibility — Vermont

Unlikely tonight

Kp 1 is well below the Kp 5 threshold needed for aurora to be visible from Vermont.

Current Kp

1

of 9

Threshold for Vermont: Kp 5 Magnetic latitude: ~55°N Updated: 11 May, 23:26 UTC

What Kp is needed here?

Vermont sits at a magnetic latitude of approximately 55°N. The Kp index - a global measure of geomagnetic activity on a scale from 0 (quiet) to 9 (extreme storm), updated every 3 hours - needs to reach Kp 5 before the auroral oval expands far enough south to be visible from here.

At Kp 5, visibility is possible from Vermont but skies need to be clear and dark. Cloud cover and light pollution remain the main obstacles even when Kp is high enough.

Best dark sky sites near Vermont

Light pollution is the biggest obstacle after cloud cover. These sites give you the best dark northern horizon within reach.

Northeast Kingdom (Orleans and Essex counties)

Vermont's most remote corner, in the northeast near the Quebec border. The Northeast Kingdom sits at 45°N geographic (55°N magnetic) with minimal light pollution across a broad area. The towns of Island Pond and Brighton give practical access points. Open fields north of Island Pond face across the Quebec border with Bortle 2-3 sky. The complete absence of significant urban centres in the region gives the kind of darkness rare in the northeast. A 3-hour drive from Boston.

Groton State Forest

Vermont's largest state forest, in central Vermont near Groton and Marshfield. The forest covers 16,000 acres of mixed woodland with multiple lakes offering open north-facing sky. Ricker Pond and Groton Pond give lakeside positions with minimal horizon obstruction northward. Bortle 3-4 at the forest core. Accessible via US-302 east of Montpelier. The forest sits in a valley that limits southern light domes from reaching the northern sky.

Jay Peak and northern border region

The area around Jay Peak Resort and Newport, within 10 km of the Quebec border. The northern tier of Vermont near Derby and Newport sits at 45°N geographic with open farmland facing north toward Quebec. Jay Peak at 1200 m gives elevated sky access - the resort faces north across the Canadian border. The Lake Memphremagog shoreline near Newport gives a flat water horizon to the north. Winter aurora visibility is excellent when the northern ridges are clear of cloud.

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What Is the Kp Index?

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Northern Lights Viewing Tips

Dark site selection for New England aurora watching.

Common questions

Aurora in Vermont - Northeast Kingdom, Burlington visibility, and storm thresholds.

Can you see the northern lights in Vermont?
Yes, during moderate geomagnetic storms. Northern Vermont at ~55°N magnetic latitude needs Kp 5 from dark sites. The Northeast Kingdom near the Quebec border gives the state's best combination of northern position and genuine darkness. The May 2024 G5 storm produced aurora visible across Vermont including from Burlington. Vermont has some of the darkest skies in New England, giving it a practical advantage over Connecticut or Rhode Island for aurora watching.
What Kp is needed for aurora in Vermont?
Kp 5 from dark sites in northern Vermont - the Northeast Kingdom, Groton State Forest, and the Jay Peak border region. Kp 6 for aurora visible from Burlington or St. Johnsbury. Kp 7 for visibility from southern Vermont. Vermont's magnetic latitude (55°N) means Kp 5 events are accessible with dark sky positioning. The Northeast Kingdom is Vermont's premier aurora destination because it gives genuine Bortle 2-3 sky near the Canadian border.
What is the best place to see aurora in Vermont?
The Northeast Kingdom in Orleans and Essex counties gives Vermont's best aurora conditions - Bortle 2-3 sky near the Quebec border with north-facing open fields. Jay Peak and Newport near Lake Memphremagog give a second tier: northern position with open water horizon to the north. Groton State Forest is the best option for aurora chasers coming from the Montpelier area, offering reasonable darkness within an hour's drive of central Vermont.
Can you see aurora from Burlington, Vermont?
During strong geomagnetic storms. Burlington sits at ~54°N magnetic latitude and needs Kp 6-7 through the city's light pollution. The May 2024 G5 storm produced reports from Burlington. For Kp 5 events, driving north toward the Northeast Kingdom or to the Jay Peak border region significantly improves prospects. The Lake Champlain waterfront at Burlington faces west - not ideal for aurora - but elevated positions east of the city have a clearer northern horizon.
When is aurora season in Vermont?
September to April. Vermont's autumn (September-October) brings clear, stable nights and the best geomagnetic activity of the year. Winter (November-February) gives long dark nights but cloud cover is persistent over the Green Mountains. The Northeast Kingdom in winter can be clear under Arctic high-pressure systems. March and April combine equinox geomagnetic activity with improving weather. Monitor NOAA space weather and the National Weather Service Burlington sky forecast.