Wisconsinites may have yet another chance to view the aurora borealis this week.
All of Wisconsin has a chance of seeing the northern lights on Monday, Dec. 8, and all but the very southern edge of the state is in the viewline for on Tuesday, Dec. 9, according to the NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.
The Dec. 8 forecast has a Kp index of 6 out of 9, while Dec. 9 has an index of 5. According to NOAA, a Kp in the range of 3 to 5 means a bright aurora, while a Kp between 6 to 7 indicates an even brighter and more active aurora.
Here’s what to know about seeing the northern lights in Wisconsin this week:
What will the weather be like in Wisconsin on Dec. 8 and 9?
Even when there’s a strong geomagnetic storm, cloudy conditions may obscure your view of the northern lights.
In Milwaukee, the National Weather Service is forecasting light snow before 3 a.m. on Dec. 8, meaning there is a chance that cloudiness could reduce visibility of the aurora.
On Dec. 9, the Milwaukee forecast includes snow mixed with rain, and chances of snow accumulation between 1 to 3 inches – so aurora viewing conditions may be even trickier.
How to track the northern lights in Wisconsin
The Space Weather Prediction Center has two tools you can use to track northern lights forecasts:
Northern Lights appear over Lake Michigan and Grant Park Beach in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin around 9 p.m. on November 12, 2025.
What is the best time to see the northern lights?
The northern lights are typically best “within an hour or two” of midnight, meaning you should keep an eye out between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., per the Space Weather Prediction Center.
You should also head away from city lights and seek out high vantage points for a better view. You can find more viewing tips from the SWPC at swpc.noaa.gov/content/tips-viewing-aurora.
Best places in Wisconsin to see the northern lights
Here’s a list of places in Wisconsin that could offer some of the best views of the night sky:
More: One of the biggest meteor showers of the year peaks this week in Wisconsin
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Will the northern lights be visible in Wisconsin this week?
