aurora visibility now
Unlikely
Kp 0.7 (Low) — need Kp 5+ here
Pilot Station in United States sits at magnetic latitude 58.5°, requiring Kp 5+ for aurora visibility. Aurora is unlikely tonight, but conditions can change rapidly. Check the live forecast below or download AuroraMe for real-time alerts.
What affects visibility
Aurora Zone
Higher magnetic latitude = better aurora visibility. Your location's magnetic latitude 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
Good 58.5°
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
Very Quiet 0.7
Cloud Cover Impact
Clear skies are essential for aurora viewing. Clouds block your view of the northern lights. The percentage shows cloud coverage (0% = clear skies, 100% = 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 12%
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
Nautical Twilight
Forecast
Time
Kp
Visibility
15.04, Today
07:00
2.3
Unlikely
08:00
2.3
Unlikely
09:00
2.3
Unlikely
10:00
2.3
Unlikely
11:00
2.3
Unlikely
12:00
2.3
Unlikely
13:00
1.7
Unlikely
16.04, Tomorrow
16:00
1.7
Unlikely
19:00
2.7
Unlikely
22:00
2.7
Unlikely
01:00
2.3
Unlikely
04:00
1.7
Unlikely
07:00
1.7
Unlikely
10:00
1.7
Unlikely
13:00
2.3
Unlikely
17.04, Friday
16:00
2.3
Unlikely
19:00
2.7
Unlikely
22:00
4.0
Unlikely
01:00
3.7
Unlikely
04:00
3.3
Unlikely
07:00
2.7
Unlikely
10:00
3.3
Unlikely
13:00
3.7
Unlikely
18.04, Saturday
16:00
4.3
Unlikely
See Exactly When to Look Up
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Kp Index — 27-Day Forecast
Predicted geomagnetic activity based on solar rotation cycle.
...
aurora nights per year
Kp ≥ 5 · 11 years of data
Jan
Feb
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Aurora Borealis Viewing in Pilot Station
Pilot Station sits at 58.5° magnetic latitude, which means aurora typically becomes visible when the Kp index reaches 5+. Pilot Station sees aurora during moderate to strong geomagnetic activity. The best viewing season runs from late September through late March, when nights are long enough for 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.
Other cities in United States
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Anaktuvuk Pass
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Planning a trip? See the best months for Pilot Station → • Northern lights tonight — all cities →
Learn More About the Northern Lights
Northern Lights in Pilot Station: Quick Guide
Minimum Kp Needed
5.0+
Viewing Frequency
occasional
Current Kp Index
0.7
How often can you see northern lights in Pilot Station?
Based on its magnetic latitude of <strong>58.5°</strong>, aurora viewing in Pilot Station is <strong>occasional (10-40 nights per year)</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 Pilot Station?
For Pilot Station, you need a minimum Kp index of <strong>5.0</strong> for aurora to be visible. This threshold is calculated based on the city's magnetic latitude (58.5°).
Higher Kp values produce brighter, more active displays:
- Kp 5.0-6.0: Faint aurora visible in dark skies
- Kp 6.0-7.0: Moderate aurora with dancing patterns
- Kp 7.0+: Strong, colorful displays visible even with some light pollution
Current Kp index: 0.7
Where should I look for aurora in Pilot Station?
Watch the northern horizon. Aurora appears as green or red bands low on the horizon, occasionally rising higher during strong storms.
For best results, seek locations with minimal light pollution and unobstructed views of the sky. From Pilot Station, aurora typically remains closer to the horizon, so elevated viewing locations help.
Can I see northern lights tonight in Pilot Station?
Unlikely: Aurora unlikely tonight with Kp 0.7 (below 5.0 threshold for Pilot Station). 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