aurora visibility now
Unlikely
Kp 2.3 (Low) — need Kp 9+ here
Kp now 2.3 need 9+
Clouds 100% Overcast
Sky Dark visibility
Tonight in Colorado Springs: Aurora is unlikely in Colorado Springs right now. Cloud cover is high at 100%. AuroraMe watches Kp, clouds and darkness for this location and sends a free alert when a better viewing window opens.
Will Colorado Springs light up tonight? Get a free alert before the best viewing window opens.
Forecast
Scan the next hours here. The free app watches the longer window and sends alerts when conditions improve.
Time
Kp
Visibility
18.05, Today
03:00
2.3
Unlikely
04:00
2.3
Unlikely
05:00
2.3
Unlikely
06:00
2.0
Unlikely
07:00
2.0
Unlikely
08:00
2.0
Unlikely
09:00
5.0
Unlikely
12:00
4.0
Unlikely
15:00
3.3
Unlikely
19.05, Tomorrow
18:00
4.3
Unlikely
21:00
5.3
Unlikely
00:00
3.7
Unlikely
03:00
2.7
Unlikely
06:00
2.0
Unlikely
09:00
2.0
Unlikely
12:00
3.0
Unlikely
15:00
3.3
Unlikely
20.05, Wednesday
18:00
2.3
Unlikely
21:00
2.3
Unlikely
00:00
2.0
Unlikely
03:00
2.0
Unlikely
06:00
2.0
Unlikely
09:00
2.0
Unlikely
12:00
2.0
Unlikely
15:00
2.0
Unlikely
21.05, Thursday
18:00
2.7
Unlikely
Know the Best Hour Before You Go
72-hour forecast for Colorado Springs: Kp, clouds, moon and darkness by hour
...
aurora nights per year
Kp ≥ 9 · 11 years of data
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📅 All 12 months ranked 🛏️ Min nights for 80% chance 🔔 Push alert 1h before aurora 🌙 72h hour-by-hour forecast
Why this forecast?
Aurora Zone
Higher Aurora Zone = better aurora visibility. Your location's Aurora Zone determines how often auroras appear overhead.
Status Levels:
PerfectAbove 62.0° - Excellent aurora visibility (daily activity)
Good56.0° - 62.0° - Good aurora visibility (regular storms)
Acceptable50.0° - 56.0° - Fair aurora visibility (strong storms only)
LowBelow 50.0° - Poor aurora visibility (extreme storms)
Aurora Zone
Low 46.5°
Kp index
Kp measures global magnetic disturbance. Higher Kp = stronger auroras visible at lower latitudes.
Status Levels:
StormKp 6-9 - Geomagnetic storm, strong auroras
GoodKp 3-6 - Moderate activity, good conditions
LowKp 1-3 - Low activity, weak auroras
Very QuietKp 0-1 - Very quiet, minimal auroras
Kp index
Low 2.3
Cloud Cover Impact
Clear skies are essential for aurora viewing. Clouds block your view of the northern lights. The percentage shows cloud coverage (0-25% = clear, 85%+ = overcast).
Status Levels:
ClearClear (0-25%) - Perfect for aurora viewing
Partly CloudyPartly Cloudy (26-50%) - May partially block view
CloudyCloudy (51-85%) - Significantly blocks aurora
OvercastOvercast (85%+) - Blocks aurora completely
Cloud Cover Impact
☁️ Overcast
Moonlight
Bright moonlight can wash out faint auroras. New moon provides the darkest skies for optimal viewing.
Status Levels:
New MoonDarkest skies - Best for faint auroras
CrescentDim moonlight - Good for viewing
QuarterModerate moonlight - May wash out weak auroras
GibbousBright moonlight - Reduces aurora visibility
Full MoonVery bright - Only strong auroras visible
Moonlight
🌒 Crescent 11%
Darkness
Darker skies are essential for aurora viewing. The sun must be below the horizon for auroras to be visible.
Status Levels:
NightDarkest conditions - Optimal for auroras
Astronomical TwilightDark enough - Good aurora viewing
Nautical TwilightGetting darker - Weak auroras may appear
DaylightSun is above horizon - No aurora visible
Darkness
Astronomical Twilight
Get Alerted Before Aurora Appears
Push alerts 20–90 min before northern lights. 72h forecast, cloud cover, 11 years of historical data.
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Short-term outlook for the next few days
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Trip Planner: Best Days & Best Month
Aurora is Rare in Colorado Springs — But Not Impossible
Kp 9+ needed to see aurora here
0 possible aurora nights in the next 27 days
Aurora Borealis Viewing in Colorado Springs
Pikes Peak region city with high-altitude aurora viewing opportunities.
Colorado Springs sits at 46.5° magnetic latitude, which means aurora typically becomes visible when the Kp index reaches 9+. Aurora sightings in Colorado Springs require stronger geomagnetic storms (Kp 9+), which occur a few times per year. When storms do hit, the best viewing window is 10 PM to 2 AM local time under clear, dark skies.
Cloud cover is the most common reason people miss aurora even during strong storms. AuroraMe combines the Kp index with real-time cloud forecasts, moon phase, and darkness data to give you a single visibility status — so you know whether it's worth going outside tonight.
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Planning a trip? See the best months for Colorado Springs → • Northern lights tonight — all cities →
Learn More About the Northern Lights
Northern Lights in Colorado Springs: Quick Guide
Minimum Kp Needed
7.0+
Viewing Frequency
very rare
Current Kp Index
2.3
How often can you see northern lights in Colorado Springs?
Based on its magnetic latitude of <strong>46.5°</strong>, aurora viewing in Colorado Springs is <strong>very rare (1-5 nights per year during major storms)</strong>. We are currently near solar maximum (2024-2025), so expect higher-than-average activity.
Best viewing season: September to March, with peak activity during equinoxes (September and March).
What Kp index do I need to see aurora in Colorado Springs?
For Colorado Springs, you need a minimum Kp index of <strong>7.0</strong> for aurora to be visible. This threshold is calculated based on the city's magnetic latitude (46.5°).
Higher Kp values produce brighter, more active displays:
- Kp 7.0-8.0: Faint aurora visible in dark skies
- Kp 8.0-9.0: Moderate aurora with dancing patterns
- Kp 9.0+: Strong, colorful displays visible even with some light pollution
Current Kp index: 2.3
Where should I look for aurora in Colorado Springs?
Aurora is rarely visible this far south. When it does appear during extreme storms (Kp 7+), look for a faint glow on the northern horizon.
For best results, seek locations with minimal light pollution and unobstructed views of the sky. From Colorado Springs, aurora typically remains closer to the horizon, so elevated viewing locations help.
Can I see northern lights tonight in Colorado Springs?
Unlikely: Aurora unlikely tonight with Kp 2.3 (below 7.0 threshold for Colorado Springs). Enable alerts to catch future opportunities.
Real-time conditions: 100% cloud cover, aurora probability 0%. Check the live forecast above for the latest updates.
Traveling? Track multiple locations easily
Compare aurora chances across cities and get alerts for all your planned destinations.
For brighter shows consider Fairbanks , Yellowknife