Maine · United States

Northern lights tonight in Maine

Can I see the northern lights tonight in Maine?

Wait for a real gap in the clouds.

The same assessment applies at all 4 reference points. Cloud or rain at the NOAA forecast time blocks a useful local check, even if activity is modeled above it.

Aurora assessment by reference point
Reference pointAssessmentLocal modeled activityCloud at forecast timeFully dark (current or next night)
Caribou (Aroostook, north)Wait for a real gap in the clouds.1 · NOAA grid indicator100%17:53–04:39
Rangeley (western mountains)Wait for a real gap in the clouds.0 · NOAA grid indicator100%18:04–04:49
Bangor (central)Wait for a real gap in the clouds.0 · NOAA grid indicator100%17:57–04:41
Portland (south coast)Wait for a real gap in the clouds.0 · NOAA grid indicator100%18:03–04:47

Indicators are NOAA OVATION grid values, not personal viewing probabilities. Each row is a separate calculation; none stands for the whole state. Darkness is astronomical darkness (Sun 18° below the horizon) in each point's local time.

Open aurora tool for CaribouOpen aurora tool for RangeleyOpen aurora tool for BangorOpen aurora tool for Portland
Open aurora tool for this position

Calculated local. NOAA forecast valid 6 Nov, 22:56 local; darkness and clouds are assessed at that time for each point.

Maine: what changes across the state

Four points across about three degrees of latitude

The reference points run from Caribou (46.86° N) in Aroostook County through Rangeley (44.97° N) and Bangor (44.80° N) to Portland (43.66° N). NOAA describes the auroral oval moving toward the equator by about 2 degrees of geomagnetic latitude for each step in Kp, and says aurora may become visible from the northern edge of the United States around Kp 6 to 7. A northern point therefore needs less activity than the south coast; the table above runs the same NOAA map, cloud forecast and darkness check at each point, so a difference between rows is a measured difference, not a statewide average.

Source: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center — Tips on viewing the aurora

A clear view to the north, after dark

From Maine the aurora appears toward the northern horizon. NOAA's guidance is to find a place with an unobstructed view to the north — a hilltop can show aurora that is far to the north — to go out when it is properly dark, and to expect a bright Moon to wash out the display. The darkness column above shows when each point is fully dark tonight; outside those hours this page does not treat activity as a viewing opportunity.

Source: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center — Tips on viewing the aurora

Reference coordinates: Caribou 46.861°, -68.012° · Rangeley 44.966°, -70.643° · Bangor 44.801°, -68.778° · Portland 43.657°, -70.259° (America/New_York).