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Northern lights Wyoming tonight

Wyoming sits at ~55°N magnetic latitude and needs Kp 5. Yellowstone's Lamar Valley at 2000 m gives Bortle 2 sky facing north across open grassland. Grand Teton National Park adds the Jackson Lake water horizon with the Teton peaks as foreground. Wyoming's high-altitude dark sky gives it a practical edge over eastern states at the same latitude. Best season: September to April.

Aurora visibility — Wyoming

Unlikely tonight

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

Current Kp

1

of 9

Threshold for Wyoming: Kp 5 Magnetic latitude: ~55°N Updated: 11 May, 23:28 UTC

What Kp is needed here?

Wyoming 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 Wyoming 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 Wyoming

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

Yellowstone National Park (north and northeast)

The northern sections of Yellowstone near Mammoth Hot Springs and the Lamar Valley give Bortle 2-3 sky at 2000-2200 m elevation. The Lamar Valley in the northeast corner faces north across open grassland with minimal horizon obstruction - a wide flat valley at 2000 m with no light pollution for 80 km in any direction. The Tower-Roosevelt area gives elevated ridge positions above the valley floor. Yellowstone is one of the largest dark sky areas in the lower 48 by total area. The north entrance via Gardiner, Montana stays open year-round.

Grand Teton National Park

The Teton Range sits at 43.7°N geographic (54°N magnetic), slightly south of Yellowstone but with equally exceptional darkness. The Jackson Lake shoreline faces north toward Yellowstone across 20 km of open water with the Teton peaks as a foreground silhouette. The Oxbow Bend area gives a flat north-facing water horizon. Bortle 2 in the backcountry and Bortle 3 at accessible lake positions. The combination of 2000 m elevation, extreme darkness, and the Teton skyline makes Grand Teton one of the most visually compelling aurora positions in the USA.

Cloud Peak Wilderness and Bighorn Mountains

The Bighorn Mountains of north-central Wyoming rise to 4010 m (Cloud Peak) and sit 150 km east of Yellowstone. The east face of the Bighorns near Shell Canyon and the Cloud Peak Wilderness gives north-facing ridges at 2500-3000 m. Bortle 2 in the high wilderness sections. Highway 14A across the Bighorns gives accessible high-elevation positions. The Bighorn Basin to the west has minimal light pollution. A 3-hour drive from Billings, Montana or 2 hours from Casper.

Other USA aurora forecasts

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What Is the Kp Index?

What Kp 5 means for viewing at 55°N magnetic latitude.

Northern Lights Viewing Tips

Dark site selection for mountain west aurora watching.

Common questions

Aurora in Wyoming - Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and storm thresholds for the mountain west.

Can you see the northern lights in Wyoming?
Yes, during moderate geomagnetic storms. Wyoming at ~55°N magnetic latitude needs Kp 5 from dark sites. Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks give Bortle 2-3 sky at 2000+ m elevation - among the best aurora platforms in the lower 48. The wide open sky of the Lamar Valley and the Jackson Lake shoreline give unobstructed north-facing positions. Wyoming's high-altitude dark sky gives it a practical advantage over lower-elevation eastern states at the same magnetic latitude.
What Kp is needed for aurora in Wyoming?
Kp 5 from dark sites in northern Wyoming - Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and the Bighorn Mountains. Kp 6 for aurora visible from Cody or Jackson. Kp 7 for Casper or Cheyenne. Wyoming's 55°N magnetic latitude is comparable to northern New England but the 2000+ m elevation reduces atmospheric absorption, meaning displays appear brighter and lower aurora can be detected than at sea level locations with the same magnetic latitude.
Can you see aurora from Yellowstone National Park?
Yes, Yellowstone is one of the USA's premier aurora locations. The park's 55°N magnetic latitude and 2000-2200 m elevation mean Kp 5 events are visible from dark positions within the park. The Lamar Valley gives the best conditions - a wide flat valley at 2000 m with no horizon obstruction and Bortle 2-3 sky. The north entrance via Gardiner is open year-round. Spring and autumn give the best combination of clear sky and geomagnetic activity.
What is the best dark sky site in Wyoming for aurora?
The Lamar Valley in northeast Yellowstone gives Wyoming's best overall aurora conditions: 55°N magnetic, 2000 m elevation, Bortle 2 sky, and north-facing open valley. Grand Teton's Jackson Lake adds the visual advantage of the Teton skyline and open water reflection. For higher elevation, the Bighorn Mountains at 2500-3000 m give the most intense sky darkness but require more driving. For a planned aurora chase, Lamar Valley and Jackson Lake are the two principal targets.
When is aurora season in Wyoming?
September to April. September and October give the best combination of clear sky, geomagnetic activity, and manageable temperatures in the parks. Winter in Yellowstone can be severe but the Lamar Valley and north entrance remain accessible. Grand Teton's Teton Park Road closes in winter (November-April) but the Jackson Lake Lodge area stays accessible. March gives the equinox geomagnetic peak with improving temperatures. Summer nights are too short - Wyoming's aurora season effectively ends in May and resumes in August.