Aurora Odds Index: Best U.S. States to See the Northern Lights

Ranked by Aurora Viewing Chance (%) based on latitude, clear nights, sky darkness and humidity.

Higher Aurora Viewing Chance indicates more favorable long-term conditions for aurora visibility, not a nightly forecast.

Rank
State & Capital
Aurora Viewing Chance
1
Arizona Capital: Phoenix • Clear Days: 193 • Darkness Score: 75
60%
Very strong
2
Nevada Capital: Carson City • Clear Days: 158 • Darkness Score: 74
59.42%
Very strong
3
New Mexico Capital: Santa Fe • Clear Days: 167 • Darkness Score: 82
56.91%
Very strong
4
Alaska Capital: Juneau • Clear Days: 61 • Darkness Score: 95
55.64%
Very strong
5
Utah Capital: Salt Lake City • Clear Days: 125 • Darkness Score: 80
52.58%
Strong
6
Idaho Capital: Boise • Clear Days: 120 • Darkness Score: 84
51.84%
Strong
7
Colorado Capital: Denver • Clear Days: 136 • Darkness Score: 72
51.11%
Strong
8
Wyoming Capital: Cheyenne • Clear Days: 114 • Darkness Score: 86
50.79%
Strong
9
Montana Capital: Helena • Clear Days: 82 • Darkness Score: 88
49.83%
Strong
10
South Dakota Capital: Pierre • Clear Days: 104 • Darkness Score: 78
47.41%
High
11
North Dakota Capital: Bismarck • Clear Days: 93 • Darkness Score: 78
46.41%
High
12
Maine Capital: Augusta • Clear Days: 101 • Darkness Score: 68
43.42%
High
13
Nebraska Capital: Lincoln • Clear Days: 117 • Darkness Score: 62
43.41%
High
14
Kansas Capital: Topeka • Clear Days: 128 • Darkness Score: 60
43.26%
High
15
Minnesota Capital: Saint Paul • Clear Days: 95 • Darkness Score: 58
41.51%
High
16
Oklahoma Capital: Oklahoma City • Clear Days: 139 • Darkness Score: 50
40.45%
Moderate
17
New Hampshire Capital: Concord • Clear Days: 90 • Darkness Score: 63
40.41%
Moderate
18
Oregon Capital: Salem • Clear Days: 68 • Darkness Score: 70
40.04%
Moderate
19
Iowa Capital: Des Moines • Clear Days: 105 • Darkness Score: 56
38.95%
Moderate
20
Missouri Capital: Jefferson City • Clear Days: 115 • Darkness Score: 54
38.59%
Moderate
Aurora Odds Index embed showing ranked U.S. states with higher percentages indicating better long-term chances to see the northern lights.