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Northern lights in Illinois

Yes, during strong geomagnetic storms. NOAA's storm scale names Illinois as its example for strong storms, In May 2024, CBS Chicago shared photos from suburban Park Ridge, and the National Weather Service office whose area covers southern Illinois noted rare sightings in May and October.

Tonight's northern lights forecast

Loading NOAA's Kp forecast…

How strong a storm each city in Illinois 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 Illinois the level ranges from Kp 6.8 (G3) in Rockford to Kp 7.3 (G3) in Quincy.

CityGeomagnetic latitudeAurora usually needsTonight
Rockford51°Kp 6.8 (G3)
Elgin50.8°Kp 6.8 (G3)
Mount Prospect50.8°Kp 6.8 (G3)
Chicago50.6°Kp 6.9 (G3)
Aurora50.5°Kp 6.9 (G3)
Tinley Park50.3°Kp 6.9 (G3)
Peoria49.4°Kp 7.1 (G3)
Champaign48.9°Kp 7.2 (G3)
Bloomington49.2°Kp 7.2 (G3)
Springfield48.5°Kp 7.3 (G3)
Decatur48.6°Kp 7.3 (G3)
Quincy48.5°Kp 7.3 (G3)

How these levels are worked out: our methods.

How often you can see the aurora in Illinois

NOAA’s scale says strong storms bring the aurora as far south as Illinois, at about 50 degrees geomagnetic latitude. Strong storms happen on roughly 130 days per 11-year solar cycle, mostly in active years. Northern Illinois has the best odds. Southern Illinois usually needs a severe or extreme storm. The table above shows each city’s level and how tonight’s forecast compares.

Where to watch

  • Middle Fork River Forest Preserve: in Champaign County, a certified International Dark Sky Park.
  • Palos Preserves: a certified Urban Night Sky Place in southwest Cook County, close to Chicago.
  • Rural northern Illinois: farm country far from the cities, with flat northern horizons.

Notable sightings

  • May 10–11, 2024: the strongest storm in more than two decades brought the aurora across the Midwest. CBS Chicago reported that Chicagoans got a chance to see it, with photos from Park Ridge, though it was hard to see downtown. NASA’s Earth Observatory showed it in satellite images over neighboring Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan.
  • May 10 and October 10, 2024: the National Weather Service in Paducah, whose area includes southern Illinois, listed these as rare aurora sightings, noting that the northern lights are usually hard to see that far south.

Tips for Illinois

  • Escape the Chicago glow. The metro area lights up the sky for dozens of miles. Peoria, Springfield, Champaign and the Quad Cities have smaller domes.
  • Use the flat land. Open farmland gives an unbroken horizon. Just keep farmyard lights out of your northern view.
  • Bring your phone. At Illinois latitudes the aurora often looks like a gray cloud to the eye and shows pink or green in a photo.
  • Look near midnight. NOAA says activity usually peaks within an hour or two of midnight. During the biggest storms it can start in the evening.

Local resources

Browse certified dark-sky places and read how to see the northern lights. Neighbors: Wisconsin and Indiana.

Dark-sky places near Chicago

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

Questions and answers

Can you see the northern lights in Chicago?

During strong storms the aurora can show over the city, but light pollution hides most of it. Drive west or north into the countryside for a darker view of the northern sky.

Where is the darkest place near Chicago?

The Palos Preserves in Cook County are a certified Urban Night Sky Place. For darker skies, head out to rural counties far from the metro area.

Can southern Illinois see the aurora?

Yes, during severe and extreme storms. The National Weather Service in Paducah, whose forecast area includes southern Illinois, noted two rare aurora sightings, on May 10 and October 10, 2024.

Other states

Sources