Moderate Activity 🌒 3% Updated live

Aurora Forecast for
North Cascades Tonight

Current northern lights conditions for North Cascades, Washington, United States. Latitude 48.8°N · AACGM-v2 magnetic latitude 53.8°N.

National Park: When visiting this wilderness area for aurora viewing, please check local park access hours. The natural darkness provides excellent viewing conditions away from city lights.

Quick Summary: The estimated northern lights outlook for North Cascades peaks at 0% over the next 24 hours. No suitable viewing window.

Aurora forecast

0%

Estimated

Highest estimate · next 24 hours

Viewing window

No suitable viewing window

America/Vancouver

Kp index

4

Moderate

Planetary geomagnetic activity

Cloud cover

2%

Clear skies

Current sky visibility

Aurora

Tonight's Verdict

Low aurora probability in North Cascades tonight. Check back tomorrow for updated conditions.

Hourly Forecast · Estimated

23
23:00 — 0%
00:00 — 0%
01:00 — 0%
02:00 — 0%
03:00 — 0%
04:00 — 0%
05
05:00 — 0%
06:00 — 0%
07:00 — 0%
08:00 — 0%
09:00 — 0%
10:00 — 0%
11
11:00 — 0%
12:00 — 0%
13:00 — 0%
14:00 — 0%
15:00 — 0%
16:00 — 0%
17
17:00 — 0%
18:00 — 0%
19:00 — 0%
20:00 — 0%
21:00 — 0%
22:00 — 0%
23:00 UTC05:00 UTC11:00 UTC17:00 UTC22:00 UTC
Time (UTC)Estimated (%)
2026-10-12T23:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-13T00:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-13T01:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-13T02:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-13T03:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-13T04:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-13T05:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-13T06:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-13T07:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-13T08:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-13T09:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-13T10:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-13T11:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-13T12:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-13T13:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-13T14:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-13T15:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-13T16:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-13T17:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-13T18:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-13T19:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-13T20:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-13T21:00:00.000Z0%
2026-10-13T22:00:00.000Z0%
How to read this forecast

The next 24 hours use calculated local darkness and a retained aurora activity heuristic. They are not a measured or statistically calibrated chance of seeing aurora. Aggregate cloud cover is held constant unless a timed weather forecast is available.

Generated 2026-10-12T22:27:59.872Z. Kp: fresh · observation 2026-10-12T21:00:00.000Z. Cloud: fresh · cache refresh 2026-10-12T22:20:38.993+00:00. Overall model: estimated.

Window: No suitable viewing window. A dash marks a missing input; zero means the model found no visibility under the supplied conditions.

27-Day Forecast

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Oct 13

Kp Index •••
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Oct 14

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Oct 15

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About Aurora Viewing in North Cascades

North Cascades, United States, is at 48.8°N. Aurora visibility depends on local conditions as well as geomagnetic activity. Its verified magnetic latitude is 53.8°N; Kp 5–7 is an approximate screening range, not a visibility probability. Even favourable activity can be hidden by clouds or daylight. Find a dark, open northern horizon and check the sky before travelling.

Follow forecasts, cloud maps and aurora alerts for North Cascades in Aurora Hunt, then confirm darkness, local cloud and access before going outside.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see aurora in North Cascades tonight?
Aurora visibility in North Cascades depends on geomagnetic activity (Kp index), cloud cover, and darkness. At 48.8°N latitude, North Cascades typically needs a Kp index of 5–7 for visible aurora. Check the real-time forecast above for tonight's conditions.
What time is best to see northern lights in North Cascades?
The best time to see aurora in North Cascades is typically between 10 PM and 2 AM local time, when skies are darkest. Aurora can appear any time after astronomical twilight, but peak activity usually occurs around local midnight.
Where to watch aurora in North Cascades?
For the best aurora viewing in North Cascades, find a location away from city light pollution with a clear view to the north. Dark areas outside the city center, elevated viewpoints, and spots near water are ideal. Check cloud cover before heading out.
What Kp index is needed to see aurora in North Cascades?
North Cascades is at 48.8°N latitude and typically requires a Kp index of 5–7 for visible aurora. Higher Kp values mean stronger geomagnetic storms and better aurora visibility, even at lower latitudes.
Is North Cascades, United States a good place to see northern lights?
North Cascades can see aurora during strong geomagnetic storms. Located at 48.8°N, aurora is visible when Kp index reaches 5–7 or higher.

Nearby Aurora Destinations

Mount Baker

48.8°N View →

Sudden Valley

48.7°N View →

Sedro-Woolley

48.5°N View →

Burlington

48.5°N View →

Lynden

49°N View →

Bellingham

48.8°N View →

Never Miss the Aurora in North Cascades

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