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

How strong a storm each city in West Virginia 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 West Virginia the level ranges from Kp 7.3 (G3) in Morgantown to Kp 7.5 (G4) in Charleston.

City	Geomagnetic latitude	Aurora usually needs
Morgantown	48.7°	Kp 7.3 (G3)
Parkersburg	48.3°	Kp 7.3 (G3)
Charleston	47.4°	Kp 7.5 (G4)

How these levels are worked out: our methods.

How often you can see the aurora in West Virginia

Most of West Virginia lies just north of the 45-degree line NOAA’s scale gives for severe storms, with Alabama as its example. Severe storms come on about 60 days per 11-year solar cycle and extreme ones only a few times per cycle. The northern and eastern panhandles and the Morgantown area are a little better placed and can see the aurora in strong storms, which come on about 130 days per cycle. The table above shows each city’s level against tonight’s forecast.

Where to watch

Watoga State Park: in Pocahontas County, certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2021.
High, open ground: mountain balds, high pastures and overlooks with a clear view north beat valley floors.
Rural southern counties: the October 2024 APOD photo was taken on a gravel lane in Monroe County.

Notable sightings

October 10, 2024: NASA featured a photo of aurora curtains over a rural lane in Monroe County, southern West Virginia, as its Astronomy Picture of the Day. It was taken during a severe storm that brought aurora to unusually low latitudes worldwide.
May 10–11, 2024: during the strongest storm to reach Earth in two decades, NASA says auroras reached the southern US, well south of West Virginia.

Tips for West Virginia

Get above the valleys. River valleys hold fog, city lights and steep ridges. Ridgetops and high fields give the open northern view you need.
Use your phone. A long exposure shows color when the eye sees only a pale glow.
Look near midnight. NOAA says activity usually peaks within an hour or two of midnight, though big storms can start at dusk.

Local resources

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

Dark-sky places near Charleston

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

Watoga State Park (International Dark Sky Park, 2021): 83 miles E of Charleston.

Natural Bridge State Park (International Dark Sky Park, 2021): 124 miles SE of Charleston.

Fry Family Park (Urban Night Sky Place, 2021): 161 miles N of Charleston.

James River State Park (International Dark Sky Park, 2019): 162 miles E of Charleston.

Mayland Earth to Sky Park & Bare Dark Sky Observatory (International Dark Sky Park, 2014): 170 miles S of Charleston.

Questions and answers

Is Watoga State Park good for the northern lights?

It is a certified International Dark Sky Park, so faint displays are easier to see. Find an open field or overlook there, because ridges block much of the low northern sky.

Can you see the aurora from Charleston or Morgantown?

During big storms, yes, though city lights hide faint displays. Drive out of the river valleys to a dark ridgetop or field with a view north.

Why do the mountains make it harder?

At West Virginia's latitude the aurora usually stays low on the northern horizon. A ridge just a few miles to the north can hide it completely.

Northern lights in West Virginia

Tonight's northern lights forecast