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

How strong a storm each city in Maryland 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 Maryland the level ranges from Kp 7.3 (G3) in Baltimore to Kp 7.5 (G4) in Salisbury.

City	Geomagnetic latitude	Aurora usually needs
Baltimore	48.4°	Kp 7.3 (G3)
Frederick	48.5°	Kp 7.3 (G3)
Gaithersburg	48.3°	Kp 7.3 (G3)
Annapolis	48.1°	Kp 7.4 (G4)
Salisbury	47.5°	Kp 7.5 (G4)

How these levels are worked out: our methods.

How often you can see the aurora in Maryland

Maryland lies between NOAA’s examples for strong storms (Illinois) and severe storms (Alabama), and the Baltimore Banner notes it takes a particularly strong storm for the lights to reach the state. Severe storms come on about 60 days per 11-year solar cycle and extreme ones only a few times per cycle, so most years bring few chances. The table above shows each city’s level against tonight’s forecast.

Where to watch

Rural northern Maryland: the Baltimore Banner points to the Prettyboy Reservoir area and pull-offs along rural roads in northern Baltimore, Carroll and Harford counties with a good view to the north.
Western Maryland: Garrett and Allegany counties are far from the big-city glow. Choose a ridgetop or open field facing north.
The Eastern Shore: flat farmland and marsh away from towns give open horizons.

Notable sightings

The Baltimore Banner reports that the aurora appeared in Maryland twice in 2024. The first was during the May storm, the most powerful in two decades. The second came with the October storm, which NOAA rated severe and which its satellites saw lighting up skies across North America. The Banner described a Smithsburg resident watching that October display from a cornfield near her home.

What you’ll see this far south

From Maryland you usually see only the top of the aurora, hundreds of miles to the north. NOAA explains that the red light comes from oxygen above about 300 km (180 miles), the highest part of the aurora, while the common green glows lower down. That high red layer is the part most easily seen from far away, so a display here often looks like a pink or red haze low in the north. Green shows up more when the aurora comes closer.

Tips for Maryland

Use your phone. A long exposure shows pink and green where the eye sees only a pale glow.
Escape the corridor glow. Baltimore and the Washington suburbs light up much of central Maryland. Head north or west.
Find an open north. Ridges and trees block the low sky. Reservoirs, farm fields and overlooks work best.

Local resources

Check the moon phase and read how to see the northern lights. Neighbors: Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Dark-sky places near Baltimore

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

Observatory Park at Turner Farm (Urban Night Sky Place, 2024): 43 miles SW of Baltimore.

Sky Meadows State Park (International Dark Sky Park, 2021): 76 miles W of Baltimore.

Rappahannock County Park (International Dark Sky Park, 2019): 92 miles SW of Baltimore.

James River State Park (International Dark Sky Park, 2019): 166 miles SW of Baltimore.

Cherry Springs State Park (International Dark Sky Park, 2008): 175 miles N of Baltimore.

Questions and answers

Can you see the northern lights from Baltimore?

Only during the strongest storms, and mostly in photos. The Baltimore Banner suggests rural northern Baltimore, Carroll and Harford counties, including the area around Prettyboy Reservoir, for a darker view north.

Is western Maryland better?

It can be. Garrett and Allegany counties are far from the Baltimore–Washington glow, and their ridgetops can give wide views. Valleys there block the low sky, so pick an open overlook facing north.

What time should I look?

NOAA says activity usually peaks within an hour or two of midnight. During big storms the aurora can appear soon after dark.

Northern lights in Maryland

Tonight's northern lights forecast