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Northern Lights in West Virginia

Kp 7.5+ needed in central West Virginia

Aurora is visible from West Virginia only during rare, extreme storms. In central West Virginia the geomagnetic latitude is about 48°, so the northern lights usually need a Kp index of about 7.5 or higher to appear low on the northern horizon; the north of the state (around Wadestown Covered Bridge) needs about Kp 7.0.

Kp forecast vs. Kp 7.5 needed here

NOAA SWPC

Loading forecast…

Daily maximum of the 3-hour planetary Kp forecast. Green = at or above the level usually needed at central West Virginia.

Kp needed (center)
Kp 7.5
geomag. lat 48°
Kp needed (north)
Kp 7.0
Wadestown Covered Bridge
Kp needed (south)
Kp 8.0
Pinnacle Rock State Park

Kp needed in West Virginia cities

CityGeomagnetic lat.Kp neededCity sky
Huntington47.5°Kp 7.57
Charleston47.4°Kp 7.57
Parkersburg48.3°Kp 7.07
Morgantown48.7°Kp 7.07
Wheeling49.2°Kp 6.56
Weirton Heights49.5°Kp 6.56
Weirton49.5°Kp 6.56
Fairmont48.6°Kp 7.06

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 West Virginia

LocationTypeCountyEst. Bortle
Cedar Creek State ParkState ParkGilmer County2
Holly River State ParkState ParkWebster County2
Canaan Valley Resort State ParkState ParkTucker County3
North Bend State ParkState ParkRitchie County2
North Bend Rail TrailState ParkRitchie County2
Cathedral State ParkState ParkPreston County3
Lost River State ParkState ParkHardy County3
Audra State ParkState ParkBarbour County3
Cranny Crow OverlookScenic ViewpointHardy County3
Watters Smith Memorial State ParkState ParkHarrison County3
Berkeley Springs State ParkState ParkMorgan County3
Cacapon Resort State ParkState ParkMorgan County3

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 West Virginia?
Yes, only during rare, extreme storms. Central West Virginia usually needs about Kp 7.5; the north about Kp 7.0.
What Kp index do I need?
Roughly Kp 7.5+ for central West Virginia. 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 West Virginia?
Dark sites with a clear northern view, such as Cedar Creek State Park, Holly River State Park, Canaan Valley Resort State Park.