Northern lights in Alabama: can you see them, and tonight's chances

How strong a storm each city in Alabama needs

The farther a place is from the magnetic pole, the stronger the geomagnetic storm needed to push the aurora into view. These levels come from each city's geomagnetic latitude and NOAA's storm scale, which says how far south aurora is usually seen at each level. They are for aurora low on the northern horizon from a dark spot; overhead displays need more. Across Alabama the level ranges from Kp 8.3 (G4) in Huntsville to stronger than Kp 9 (rare, extreme storms only) in Mobile.

City	Geomagnetic latitude	Aurora usually needs
Huntsville	43.5°	Kp 8.3 (G4)
Decatur	43.4°	Kp 8.3 (G4)
Gadsden	42.9°	Kp 8.4 (G4)
Birmingham	42.4°	Kp 8.5 (G4)
Tuscaloosa	42°	Kp 8.6 (G4)
Auburn	41.5°	Kp 8.7 (G5)
Montgomery	41.2°	Kp 8.8 (G5)
Dothan	40.1°	Kp 9 (G5)
Mobile	39.4°	stronger than Kp 9 (rare, extreme storms only)

How these levels are worked out: our methods.

Can you see the northern lights in Alabama?

Only during the biggest storms. NOAA’s scale uses Alabama as its example for severe storms, at about 45 degrees geomagnetic latitude. Those come on about 60 days per 11-year solar cycle, but here they usually give only a low glow. North Alabama has better odds than the coast. The table above compares tonight’s forecast with each city’s level.

What recent storms showed

May 10, 2024: during the strongest storm in more than two decades, WBRC reported that hundreds of viewer photos poured in as the aurora reached central Alabama. It was visible in many rural areas of the state.
November 11–12, 2025: during a severe storm, the University of Wisconsin’s CIMSS satellite blog noted aurora reports as far south as southern Alabama, citing the National Weather Service in Mobile.

Where to look

North Alabama: the most northerly part of the state, so the aurora sits a little higher in the sky there.
Rural fields and lakes: anywhere away from Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery and Mobile, with no trees blocking the northern horizon.
High ground facing north: NOAA suggests a hilltop with an open view north, which lets you see aurora that is far away.

Tips

Use your camera. NOAA notes that a dim aurora looks pale to the eye and shows color on a camera.
Look low in the north. At this latitude the aurora seldom climbs high.
Watch for storm watches. NOAA says it can often predict storms a day or so ahead when a solar eruption (a coronal mass ejection, or CME) is headed toward Earth.

Read how to see the northern lights and check the moon phase. Neighbors: Tennessee and Mississippi.

Dark-sky places near Huntsville

Certified dark-sky places are among the best spots to watch for aurora: little light pollution and, often, open views to the north.

Obed Wild and Scenic River (International Dark Sky Park, 2017): 145 miles NE of Huntsville.

Pickett CCC Memorial State Park & Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area (International Dark Sky Park, 2015): 164 miles NE of Huntsville.

Mammoth Cave National Park (International Dark Sky Park, 2021): 175 miles N of Huntsville.

Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (International Dark Sky Park, 2020): 218 miles E of Huntsville.

Mayland Earth to Sky Park & Bare Dark Sky Observatory (International Dark Sky Park, 2014): 267 miles E of Huntsville.

Questions and answers

Can you see the northern lights in Birmingham or Huntsville?

During severe and extreme storms, yes, mostly in photos. WBRC noted the May 2024 aurora was visible in many rural areas, so drive away from city lights.

Where is the darkest sky in Alabama?

The darkest skies are in rural areas away from the big cities. Look for a field or lake with an open view north.

Why did my photo show colors I couldn't see?

A phone's night mode collects light for several seconds and records color. The eye's night vision is mostly colorless, so a faint aurora looks gray.

Northern lights in Alabama

Tonight's northern lights forecast