INDIANA, USA — We have another chance for northern lights across Indiana tonight. Get your cameras and phones charged. A G4 solar storm (forecasted) is expected to arrive after sunset tonight, bringing the chance to see the aurora borealis across the northern half of the United States.
Some people may be able to faintly see the lights with their eyes, but a camera will be your best option.
This display will likely be slightly weaker than the May outbreak of northern lights, but there's a chance it could be stronger!
Tap HERE to check sky conditions for tonight and make sure you bring a jacket because it will cool off quickly after sunset.
Geomagnetic storm scale
Every solar storm is different, but we want to recap what we have seen so far this year to help predict was is possible tonight.
- G1 storm: northern lights NOT VISIBLE in Indiana (Kp = 5)
- G2 storm: northern lights NOT VISIBLE in Indiana (Kp = 6)
- G3 storm: northern lights MAY BE SEEN BRIEFLY at times in Indiana, especially in northern Indiana (Kp = 7)
- G4 storm: northern lights ARE VISIBLE, generally north of I-70 (Kp = 8)
- G5 storm: northern lights ARE VISIBLE, all over Indiana (Kp = 9)
We are expecting a G4 storm tonight.
NOAA Forecast: G4 Storm Tonight
This is the forecast: G4 storm. But, it is only a forecast. We will have a more concrete idea for the aurora once satellites start registering higher geomagnetic levels.
If a G4 storm (Kp = 8+) truly does arrive, you will be able to see the northern lights across Indiana. If it's weaker, you may need to be in northern Indiana or Michigan to see the lights.
Regional northern lights map
- Pink: Best chance to see the lights
- Green: Likely chance of seeing the lights, although not guaranteed
- Teal: Northern lights possible, but not guaranteed (may need a DSLR camera)
Especially if you have a DSLR camera with the option to do high-quality long-exposure photography, you may see the northern lights as far south as Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and Virginia.
Indiana northern lights forecast
All of Indiana will have the chance to see the northern lights, however the northern half of the state has the highest chance. Typically during a G4 storm, we get most of our photos in central and northern Indiana. Photo proof becomes a bit more rare in southern Indiana.
When to look for the northern lights
We should be at a pretty high storm level through much of the dark hours.
Generally try to look for northern lights from 9PM to 3AM.
Point your camera toward the northern sky.
Tips for seeing the northern lights (especially for weaker solar storms)
- Get far away from city lights.
- Look north.
- Use a camera — set for long exposure.
- Bring patience. The northern lights are not constant. They move and flow and the intensity of how well you can see them is constantly changing.
- Just know that seeing the northern lights is not a guarantee.
Good luck finding the northern lights tonight!