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Northern lights in Washington

Yes. Washington sees the northern lights during moderate and strong geomagnetic storms, and in May 2024 people photographed them across the Pacific Northwest. The north of the state has the best odds.

Tonight's northern lights forecast

Loading NOAA's Kp forecast…

How strong a storm each city in Washington 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 Washington the level ranges from Kp 6.2 (G2) in Bellingham to Kp 6.6 (G3) in Kennewick.

CityGeomagnetic latitudeAurora usually needsTonight
Bellingham54.1°Kp 6.2 (G2)
Spokane53.7°Kp 6.3 (G2)
Everett53.4°Kp 6.3 (G2)
Port Angeles53.3°Kp 6.3 (G2)
Seattle53°Kp 6.4 (G3)
Wenatchee53.1°Kp 6.4 (G3)
Moses Lake52.9°Kp 6.4 (G3)
Tacoma52.6°Kp 6.5 (G3)
Lacey52.4°Kp 6.5 (G3)
Yakima52.2°Kp 6.6 (G3)
Kennewick52°Kp 6.6 (G3)

How these levels are worked out: our methods.

How often you can see the aurora in Washington

Washington lies between NOAA’s examples for moderate storms (Idaho) and strong storms (Oregon). The north of the state can see the aurora in moderate storms, which come on about 360 days per 11-year solar cycle; the south usually needs a strong storm, about 130 days per cycle. The table above shows the level for each city and how tonight’s NOAA forecast compares.

Where to watch

  • Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, Whidbey Island: the Park Service lists it among parks where the aurora can be seen. Its bluffs look out over open water.
  • Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest: Recreation.gov lists it among five places to see the northern lights. The Heybrook Lookout Trail is one of the first in the area to be snow-free in spring, and the historic fire lookout can be rented from May through October.

Notable sightings

During the May 10–11, 2024 storm, KOIN 6 News reported people catching the aurora at many locations across Oregon and Washington, including Battle Ground State Park and Camas. KOIN said the severe geomagnetic storm made the display visible across much of the country that night.

Tips for Washington

  • Get out of the Seattle glow. The Seattle–Tacoma–Everett corridor lights the sky over a wide area. Spokane, Vancouver and Tri-Cities have their own light domes.
  • Use the water. A shoreline with open water to the north gives a flat horizon where hills and trees don’t block the view.
  • Stay up near midnight. NOAA says the best displays usually come within an hour or two of midnight.

Local resources

NOAA’s aurora dashboard shows tonight’s view line. Check the moon phase and read how to see the northern lights. Neighbors: Idaho and Oregon.

Dark-sky places near Seattle

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 from Seattle?

During strong storms, yes, usually as a low glow over the north that photographs better than it looks. Head north or onto the water, away from city lights, for a much better view.

Where in Washington was the aurora seen in May 2024?

KOIN 6 News reported sightings at many locations across Oregon and Washington, and its gallery included Washington photos from Battle Ground State Park and Camas, near Vancouver.

What is the best season for the aurora in Washington?

NOAA says bigger storms tend to come near the March and September equinoxes. For spring trips, Recreation.gov points to the Heybrook Lookout Trail in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, one of the first trails in the area to be free of snow.

Other states

Sources