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Northern lights in Massachusetts

Yes, but only during strong-to-extreme geomagnetic storms, and usually as a low glow that shows better in photos. Boston.com readers photographed it from across the state during the October 2024 and November 2025 storms.

Tonight's northern lights forecast

Loading NOAA's Kp forecast…

How strong a storm each city in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts the level ranges from Kp 6.6 (G3) in Lowell to Kp 6.8 (G3) in Barnstable Town.

CityGeomagnetic latitudeAurora usually needsTonight
Lowell51.8°Kp 6.6 (G3)
Boston51.5°Kp 6.7 (G3)
Worcester51.4°Kp 6.7 (G3)
Springfield51.3°Kp 6.7 (G3)
Framingham51.5°Kp 6.7 (G3)
New Bedford50.8°Kp 6.8 (G3)
Barnstable Town50.8°Kp 6.8 (G3)

How these levels are worked out: our methods.

How often you can see the aurora in Massachusetts

Massachusetts lies just south of New York’s band on NOAA’s scale, which marks where moderate storms reach. In practice the state needs a strong storm for a faint glow and a severe or extreme one for a good show. Strong storms come on roughly 130 days per 11-year solar cycle, severe ones on about 60. The table above shows each city’s level against tonight’s NOAA forecast.

Where to watch

Choose a spot by these rules:

  • Go west or north. The Berkshires and the hill towns of northern Worcester and Franklin counties are far from Boston’s glow.
  • Find an open northern horizon. Hilltop fields, reservoirs and north-facing beaches give the low view you need.
  • Stay clear of the Boston glow. The metro area brightens the sky for dozens of miles in every direction.

Notable sightings

  • November 11, 2025: during a severe storm, Boston.com published reader photos of pink, green and blue skies from dozens of Massachusetts towns, from Cape Cod, Plymouth and Westport to Topsfield, Pepperell and Sunderland. The University of Wisconsin’s CIMSS satellite blog reported aurora across much of the continental US that night.
  • October 10, 2024: Boston.com readers sent pink and green aurora photos from places including Lowell, Cheshire, Rockport’s Halibut Point State Park and Falmouth.

Tips for Massachusetts

  • Use your phone. At Massachusetts latitudes, a long exposure often shows color your eyes miss.
  • Watch for breaks in the clouds. During an aurora storm, even a short clear spell can pay off.
  • Favor the equinox months. The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute finds aurora odds about twice as high near the March and September equinoxes as near the solstices.
  • Look near midnight. NOAA says activity usually peaks within an hour or two of midnight.

Local resources

Check the moon phase and read how to see the northern lights. Neighbors: New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

Dark-sky places near Boston

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 Boston?

Only during the strongest storms, and city light hides most of it. In November 2025 a Boston.com reader photographed it over Boston from Brookline, but driving north or west, away from the metro area, gives a far better chance.

Is Cape Cod good for the aurora?

It can be. Boston.com readers sent aurora photos from Cape Cod in November 2025, and bay-side beaches look north over open water. Try it during strong storms.

What is the best time of year in Massachusetts?

NOAA says activity tends to rise near the March and September equinoxes. Fall and winter add long nights, which give you more dark hours to watch.

Other states

Sources