Live Aurora Outlook
Northern Lights in Vermont
Tonight's Live Forecast
Vermont needs a Kp index of roughly 6+ for visible aurora. Below is tonight's answer, computed from the live Kp reading — updated hourly, explained calmly.
Can you see the northern lights in Vermont tonight?
Unlikely in Vermont tonight
The Kp index is currently 2, below the roughly Kp 6 that Vermont needs for visible aurora. Watch for geomagnetic storm alerts — when Kp reaches 6+, tonight's answer changes.
Aurora in Vermont
What Vermont Needs for a Display
Vermont's Northeast Kingdom is quietly one of the better aurora perches in New England: rural, dark, and far enough north that a solid G1–G2 storm (Kp 5–6) can produce a visible glow over the Canadian border hills. Lake Champlain's long north-south water horizon gives the Burlington area a viewing edge once you clear the city lights.
Northern Vermont sits between the Kp 5 and Kp 6 view lines. Aurora visibility depends on geomagnetic latitude — which differs from map latitude by up to 15 degrees — so these thresholds come from NOAA SWPC's storm-level view-line estimates, not simple map position. Treat them as odds, not guarantees: at the threshold Kp, expect a glow low on the northern horizon rather than overhead curtains.
Approximate Kp Needed by Location
Based on NOAA SWPC G-scale view-line estimates
Best Viewing Spots in Vermont
When to Look
10 PM – 2 AM local time, centered on midnight. September through March offers the darkest skies. Avoid full-moon nights and city light domes — even 30 minutes of driving makes a real difference.
Don't Refresh This Page All Winter —
get a Kp alert instead
Aurora visibility in Vermont is driven by the Kp index, so a Kp storm alert is effectively an aurora heads-up. The ResonanceOne app sends free push notifications when the Kp index reaches geomagnetic storm level (Kp 5+) — watch for readings of 6+ to match Vermont's threshold.
To be clear: ResonanceOne is not a dedicated aurora app — no aurora map, no location-based visibility forecast. It tracks the underlying signals (Kp index, solar flares, Schumann Resonance) in one calm Activity Index, and alerts you when they spike.
Common Questions
Northern Lights in Vermont: FAQ
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