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

How strong a storm each city in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania the level ranges from Kp 6.8 (G3) in Erie to Kp 7.2 (G3) in Lancaster.

City	Geomagnetic latitude	Aurora usually needs
Erie	51.2°	Kp 6.8 (G3)
Scranton	50.5°	Kp 6.9 (G3)
Williamsport	50.4°	Kp 6.9 (G3)
Pittsburgh	49.5°	Kp 7.1 (G3)
Allentown	49.7°	Kp 7.1 (G3)
Reading	49.5°	Kp 7.1 (G3)
Harrisburg	49.4°	Kp 7.1 (G3)
Altoona	49.6°	Kp 7.1 (G3)
Philadelphia	49.1°	Kp 7.2 (G3)
Lancaster	49.2°	Kp 7.2 (G3)

How these levels are worked out: our methods.

How often you can see the aurora in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania lies at about the geomagnetic latitude of Illinois and Oregon, which NOAA’s scale uses as examples for strong storms. Most of the state needs a strong storm, which NOAA counts on about 130 days per 11-year solar cycle. The northern tier has the best odds. The table above shows each city’s level and how tonight’s forecast compares.

Where to watch

Cherry Springs State Park: in Potter County, declared Pennsylvania’s first Dark Sky Park by DCNR in 2000. DCNR says it became the world’s second International Dark Sky Park in 2008, and the PA Wilds group calls it world-famous.
Winslow Hill Viewing Area, Benezette: in elk country. The PA Wilds group says the aurora was captured here in 2024.
Bull Run Vista, Lycoming County: another PA Wilds site where aurora was photographed in 2024.
Route 15 near Williamsport: the PA Wilds group shows an aurora photo taken from a camera set up along the highway in 2024.

Notable sightings

May 10–11, 2024: CBS News Pittsburgh reported that people throughout southwestern Pennsylvania saw the aurora, with photos from Allegheny, Washington, Armstrong, Beaver, Greene and Butler counties. CBS News Philadelphia reported views early Saturday from Kimberton and Bridgeport in Chester and Montgomery counties.
October 10, 2024: the PA Wilds group says the aurora appeared just after sunset in the northern part of the state.

Tips for Pennsylvania

Watch for lake-effect clouds in the northwest. Near Lake Erie, the National Weather Service explains, cold air crossing the lake in late fall and winter builds narrow cloud bands, while skies a few miles away can stay clear.
Avoid the big light domes. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh brighten large areas. The PA Wilds group says its north-central region has some of the darkest skies in the country.
Pick a ridge with an open north. Ridges and valleys block the low sky in much of the state. Overlooks and hilltop fields work best.
Use your camera. A phone photo often shows pink and green before your eyes do.

Local resources

Browse certified dark-sky places and read how to see the northern lights. Neighbors: New York and Ohio.

Dark-sky places near Philadelphia

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): 136 miles SW of Philadelphia.

Sky Meadows State Park (International Dark Sky Park, 2021): 167 miles SW of Philadelphia.

Cherry Springs State Park (International Dark Sky Park, 2008): 181 miles NW of Philadelphia.

Cherry Springs State Park (Pennsylvania state Dark Sky Park) (Pennsylvania DCNR Dark Sky Park (state agency designation), 2000): 181 miles NW of Philadelphia.

Rappahannock County Park (International Dark Sky Park, 2019): 185 miles SW of Philadelphia.

Questions and answers

Can you see the northern lights in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh?

During strong storms, sometimes, though city lights hide faint displays. In May 2024 CBS News Pittsburgh received photos from Allegheny County and five neighboring counties, and CBS News Philadelphia reported views from Kimberton and Bridgeport in the suburbs.

When is the best season for the aurora in Pennsylvania?

Any season with clear, dark nights can work, and fall and winter nights are long. The two big 2024 displays in the PA Wilds came in May and October.

Can I see the aurora with my eyes in Pennsylvania?

During the biggest storms, yes. In May 2024 CBS News Pittsburgh described green, purple, red and pink tints in the sky. Still, the PA Wilds tourism group notes that most auroras seen in Pennsylvania have shown up mainly through a camera lens.

Northern lights in Pennsylvania

Tonight's northern lights forecast