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

How strong a storm each city in North Dakota 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 North Dakota the level ranges from Kp 5.8 (G2) in Grand Forks to Kp 6.1 (G2) in Dickinson.

City	Geomagnetic latitude	Aurora usually needs
Grand Forks	56.1°	Kp 5.8 (G2)
Minot	56°	Kp 5.8 (G2)
Williston	55.8°	Kp 5.8 (G2)
Fargo	55°	Kp 6 (G2)
Bismarck	54.7°	Kp 6.1 (G2)
Dickinson	54.6°	Kp 6.1 (G2)

How these levels are worked out: our methods.

How often you can see the aurora in North Dakota

North Dakota’s geomagnetic latitude is higher than its map latitude suggests, because the magnetic pole lies over northern Canada. The whole state sits near the line NOAA’s scale gives for moderate storms, which come on about 360 days per 11-year solar cycle. The north is a little better placed than the south. The table above shows the level for each city against tonight’s NOAA forecast.

Where to watch

Theodore Roosevelt National Park: the Park Service lists it among parks where the aurora can be seen when conditions are right. Pick a spot with an open view to the north.
State parks: North Dakota Tourism recommends the state park system for dark, open skies.
Crow Flies High Butte, New Town: an overlook near New Town that North Dakota Tourism names for aurora watching.
Mystical Horizons, Turtle Mountains: a site near Bottineau, close to the Canadian border, also on North Dakota Tourism’s list.

Notable sightings

During the May 10–11, 2024 storm, the strongest in over two decades, NASA’s Earth Observatory showed the aurora as a bright strip in satellite images across parts of Montana, Wyoming, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan.

Tips for North Dakota

Get 20 to 30 miles from town. That is North Dakota Tourism’s advice for escaping light pollution from any town.
Start early in the evening. North Dakota Tourism says two to three hours after sunset tends to be the best time, and NOAA notes that strong storms can light the sky through the evening.
Dress for wind. Open prairie on a clear winter night is cold and exposed.

Local resources

North Dakota Tourism points to the National Weather Service offices in Bismarck and Grand Forks and to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center for forecasts. Check the moon phase and read how to see the northern lights. Neighbors: Minnesota and Montana.

Dark-sky places near Fargo

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

Voyageurs National Park (International Dark Sky Park, 2020): 216 miles NE of Fargo.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (International Dark Sky Sanctuary, 2020): 270 miles E of Fargo.

Badlands National Park (International Dark Sky Park, 2025): 329 miles SW of Fargo.

Questions and answers

Can you see the northern lights in Fargo or Bismarck?

Yes, during storms, though city lights hide fainter displays. North Dakota Tourism suggests driving 20 to 30 miles out of town for a darker sky.

Can you see the aurora in North Dakota in summer?

It can appear in any month, but summer nights at North Dakota's latitude are short and the sky stays bright late. Fall through spring gives far more dark hours.

How long do the northern lights last?

North Dakota Tourism says a display can last 10 to 15 minutes or stretch into the next night, and that it comes in waves that strengthen and fade. Stay out a while after the first glow.

Northern lights in North Dakota

Tonight's northern lights forecast