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

How strong a storm each city in New York 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 New York the level ranges from Kp 6.4 (G3) in Watertown to Kp 7 (G3) in Yonkers.

City	Geomagnetic latitude	Aurora usually needs
Watertown	53.1°	Kp 6.4 (G3)
Rochester	52.3°	Kp 6.5 (G3)
Buffalo	52°	Kp 6.6 (G3)
Syracuse	52.2°	Kp 6.6 (G3)
Albany	51.8°	Kp 6.6 (G3)
Utica	52.2°	Kp 6.6 (G3)
Binghamton	51.2°	Kp 6.8 (G3)
New York	49.8°	Kp 7 (G3)
Yonkers	50.1°	Kp 7 (G3)

How these levels are worked out: our methods.

How often you can see the aurora in New York

NOAA’s scale uses New York as its example for moderate storms, which reach about 55 degrees geomagnetic latitude and happen on hundreds of days per solar cycle. In practice the North Country and the Adirondacks see the aurora most often. The Adirondack Explorer quoted a National Weather Service meteorologist in Albany who said the lights are visible from the Adirondacks several times per year. The Hudson Valley, Long Island and New York City usually need strong or severe storms. The table above shows each city’s level against tonight’s forecast.

Where to watch

The Adirondacks: lakes with open northern shores give the low horizon you need, far from big-city light. In March 2023 an Edinburg resident photographed the aurora over Great Sacandaga Lake from the Batchellerville Bridge.
The Catskills: a NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day showed the aurora under the North Star from the shore of the Ashokan Reservoir in May 2024.

Notable sightings

May 12, 2024: during the run of storms that month, the aurora was photographed under the North Star from the Ashokan Reservoir in the Catskills. NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day called it rare to the region.
March 23, 2023: a severe storm brought purples, pinks and greens over Great Sacandaga Lake in the southern Adirondacks. The Adirondack Explorer reported that the glow was at first barely visible to the eye but vivid on a phone camera, before green pillars spread across the sky.

Tips for New York

Watch lake-effect clouds. The National Weather Service explains that cold air crossing the Great Lakes in late fall and winter builds narrow bands of cloud and snow, while skies a mile or two away can stay clear.
Escape the light domes. New York City’s glow reaches far into the suburbs and the lower Hudson Valley. Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Albany each brighten their regions.
Point your phone north. If a pale glow turns pink or green on the screen, it is the aurora.
Look near midnight. NOAA says the best displays usually come within an hour or two of midnight.

Local resources

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

Dark-sky places near New York

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): 213 miles SW of New York.

Cherry Springs State Park (International Dark Sky Park, 2008): 213 miles W of New York.

Cherry Springs State Park (Pennsylvania state Dark Sky Park) (Pennsylvania DCNR Dark Sky Park (state agency designation), 2000): 214 miles W of New York.

Sky Meadows State Park (International Dark Sky Park, 2021): 243 miles SW of New York.

Rappahannock County Park (International Dark Sky Park, 2019): 261 miles SW of New York.

Questions and answers

Can you see the northern lights in New York City?

Rarely. The city's light hides all but the strongest displays, and even then the aurora shows mostly in photos. Heading upstate gives a far better chance.

Where is the closest dark sky to New York City for the aurora?

The Catskills are a couple of hours north of the city. In May 2024 the aurora was photographed from the shore of the Ashokan Reservoir there, and NASA featured the picture as an Astronomy Picture of the Day.

Is the north shore of Long Island any good?

Its beaches face north over Long Island Sound, which gives an open horizon. You still need a strong storm and a spot away from bright lights.

Northern lights in New York

Tonight's northern lights forecast