Aurora is visible from Washington several times a year. In central Washington the geomagnetic latitude is about 53°, so the northern lights usually need a Kp index of about 4.5 or higher to appear low on the northern horizon; the north of the state (around Peace Arch Park) needs about Kp 4.0.
Kp needed (center)
Kp 4.5
geomag. lat 53°
Kp needed (north)
Kp 4.0
Peace Arch Park
Kp needed (south)
Kp 5.5
Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Kp needed in Washington cities
| City | Geomagnetic lat. | Kp needed | City sky |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | 53.0° | Kp 4.5 | 7 |
| Tri-Cities | 52.1° | Kp 5.0 | 7 |
| Spokane | 53.7° | Kp 4.5 | 7 |
| Tacoma | 52.7° | Kp 5.0 | 7 |
| Vancouver | 51.0° | Kp 5.5 | 8 |
| Bellevue | 53.0° | Kp 4.5 | 8 |
| Kent | 52.8° | Kp 5.0 | 8 |
| Everett | 53.4° | Kp 4.5 | 7 |
| Renton | 52.9° | Kp 5.0 | 8 |
| Federal Way | 52.7° | Kp 5.0 | 8 |
| Spokane Valley | 53.8° | Kp 4.5 | 8 |
| Yakima | 52.3° | Kp 5.0 | 7 |
| Kirkland | 53.1° | Kp 4.5 | 8 |
| Bellingham | 54.1° | Kp 4.0 | 7 |
| Kennewick | 52.1° | Kp 5.0 | 8 |
Approximate Kp for aurora low on the northern horizon (camera-visible). Higher Kp lets it climb higher and show color to the eye.
Dark, northern photo locations in Washington
| Location | Type | County | Est. Bortle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crawford State Park Heritage Site | State Park | Pend Oreille County | 1 |
| Box Canyon Dam Viewpoint | Scenic Viewpoint | Pend Oreille County | 1 |
| Alta Lake State Park | State Park | Okanogan County | 2 |
| Conconully State Park | State Park | Okanogan County | 2 |
| Steamboat Rock State Park | State Park | Grant County | 2 |
| Bridgeport State Park | State Park | Douglas County | 2 |
| Pearrygin Lake State Park | State Park | Okanogan County | 2 |
| Beach 4 Overlook | Scenic Viewpoint | Jefferson County | 2 |
| Beach 6 Overlook | Scenic Viewpoint | Jefferson County | 2 |
| Destruction Island Viewpoint | Scenic Viewpoint | Jefferson County | 2 |
| Fort Okanogan Overlook | Scenic Viewpoint | Okanogan County | 2 |
| Gorge Creek Falls Viewpoint | Scenic Viewpoint | Whatcom County | 2 |
How to photograph the northern lights
- Watch the live Kp forecast above and NOAA's 30-minute aurora forecast; storms often peak between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.
- Find an unobstructed view to the north — a lake, open field or ridge — away from town lights.
- Start at ISO 1600–3200, f/2.8 or faster, 5–15 seconds; shorter exposures keep fast-moving curtains sharp.
- Your camera sees aurora as green or red long before your eyes do — take test shots whenever Kp is near the threshold.
- Moonlight lights the foreground but washes out faint aurora; strong storms are still worth shooting under a bright moon.
FAQ
Can you see the northern lights in Washington?
Yes, several times a year. Central Washington usually needs about Kp 4.5; the north about Kp 4.0.
What Kp index do I need?
Roughly Kp 4.5+ for central Washington. Kp is a 0–9 scale of geomagnetic activity; each step moves the aurora's southern edge a few degrees of latitude.
Where is the best place to see the aurora in Washington?
Dark sites with a clear northern view, such as Crawford State Park Heritage Site, Box Canyon Dam Viewpoint, Alta Lake State Park.