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

How strong a storm each city in Nevada 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 Nevada the level ranges from Kp 7.6 (G4) in Elko to Kp 8.5 (G4) in Henderson.

City	Geomagnetic latitude	Aurora usually needs
Elko	47.2°	Kp 7.6 (G4)
Reno	45.4°	Kp 7.9 (G4)
Carson City	45°	Kp 8 (G4)
Las Vegas	42.7°	Kp 8.5 (G4)
Henderson	42.5°	Kp 8.5 (G4)

How these levels are worked out: our methods.

How often you can see the aurora in Nevada

NOAA’s scale says severe storms have reached northern California, which shares Nevada’s latitude band. Northern Nevada therefore needs a severe storm, which comes on about 60 days per 11-year solar cycle. Southern Nevada usually needs an extreme one, which happens only a few times per cycle. The table above shows each city’s level against tonight’s forecast.

Where to watch

Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area: in far northwestern Nevada, certified by DarkSky International as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2019 and one of the state’s most northerly dark sites.
Great Basin National Park: in eastern Nevada, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2016.

Notable sightings

November 11, 2025: KRNV reported that northern Nevada residents saw the aurora in greens, purples and reds, a rare treat that far south.
October 10–11, 2024: NASA’s Earth Observatory noted that aurora photographs were shared from Nevada during the severe storm.
September 12, 2024: News 3 Las Vegas reported that a wildfire camera on Angel Peak outside Las Vegas captured the aurora, according to the National Weather Service.

Tips for Nevada

Use your camera. In Nevada the aurora usually sits low and faint, and a long exposure shows it much better than your eyes.
Get out of town. Reno and Las Vegas light up their valleys, so drive to a dark site with a low northern horizon.
Look near midnight. NOAA says activity usually peaks within an hour or two of midnight.

Local resources

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

Dark-sky places near Las Vegas

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

Death Valley National Park (International Dark Sky Park, 2013): 87 miles W of Las Vegas.

Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument (International Dark Sky Park, 2014): 98 miles E of Las Vegas.

Snow Canyon State Park (Urban Night Sky Place, 2025): 112 miles NE of Las Vegas.

Springdale, Utah (International Dark Sky Community, 2023): 142 miles NE of Las Vegas.

Zion National Park (International Dark Sky Park, 2021): 145 miles NE of Las Vegas.

Questions and answers

Can you see the northern lights in Las Vegas?

Rarely, and usually only in photos taken well away from the city lights. In September 2024 a wildfire camera on Angel Peak outside Las Vegas recorded the aurora, though News 3 said it was unclear whether anyone could see it with the naked eye.

Can you see the northern lights in Reno?

During severe and extreme storms, yes, best from a dark spot outside town. In November 2025 KRNV reported that northern Nevada residents saw the aurora in greens, purples and reds.

Are Nevada's dark skies enough on their own?

Dark skies help, but the aurora also needs a strong storm. On most nights it sits far to the north, out of view from Nevada.

Northern lights in Nevada

Tonight's northern lights forecast