If you’re wondering Will the northern lights be visible in Seattle tonight? — you’re not alone. Skywatchers across Washington are buzzing with excitement. A surge in solar activity has sparked hopes for another rare appearance of the northern lights aurora borealis in the Pacific Northwest.
Let’s explore what’s happening in the skies, how to see the aurora borealis Washington residents are talking about, and what tonight’s aurora forecast looks like.
The northern lights aurora borealis are caused by geomagnetic storms. These storms begin with explosions on the sun known as solar flares or coronal mass ejections. These powerful bursts of charged particles hit Earth’s magnetic field and light up the sky in glowing waves of green, red, and purple.
Normally, the aurora stays near the poles — in places like Alaska, Canada, and Scandinavia. But strong geomagnetic activity can push the lights south, sometimes reaching as far as Washington state and even Oregon.
The aurora borealis Washington residents are hoping for is the result of multiple solar flares launched from the sun in recent days. NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center reported a G3 to G4-level geomagnetic storm. That’s strong enough to bring the aurora into view even in lower-latitude areas like Seattle.
Thanks to this solar activity, Washington state has experienced some stunning light displays, especially in rural areas. And tonight might offer another chance.
So, will the northern lights be visible in Seattle tonight? The answer is: there’s a decent chance, but it depends on a few factors.
The aurora forecast shows active geomagnetic conditions, and the aurora oval has expanded south. This means the aurora could be visible in northern Washington and possibly even from seattle northern lights watchers keeping a close eye on the sky.
However, visibility depends on cloud cover and light pollution. Seattle often struggles with both. If skies are clear and the solar storm remains strong, you might catch a faint glow or shimmering light in the northern sky.
The seattle aurora is most likely to appear between 10 PM and 2 AM local time. During this window, geomagnetic activity tends to peak and skies are darkest.
Make sure to look toward the northern horizon. Even if the aurora is faint, your camera may pick up colors that your eyes can’t see. Consider using a long-exposure setting on your phone or DSLR for best results.
If you want to increase your chances of seeing the northern lights aurora borealis, you’ll need to get away from the city. Light pollution can wash out faint aurora activity.
Here are some good locations outside Seattle:
Rattlesnake Lake – Just 45 minutes from the city with north-facing views and dark skies
Snoqualmie Pass – Elevation and distance from city lights make it a great aurora-watching spot
Whidbey Island – Farther north and low in light pollution, it’s ideal for watching the skies
Deception Pass State Park – Gorgeous views and a clear shot of the northern sky
Heading north and gaining elevation will give you the best shot at seeing the aurora borealis Washington residents have been photographing recently.
To truly capture the seattle northern lights, you’ll want to use a tripod and camera with manual controls. Even if you don’t see vivid colors with your eyes, your camera might catch them.
Set your ISO between 800 and 3200
Use a 10–30 second exposure
Point your lens toward the northern sky
Focus manually on a distant star
Shoot in RAW if possible for better editing later
Many people use phone apps like NightCap or ProCamera for better control on mobile devices.
The northern lights aurora borealis have been showing up more frequently across the U.S. because we’re near the peak of the solar cycle. The sun follows an 11-year cycle of activity, and we’re currently nearing what’s called the solar maximum.
During this phase, the sun produces more solar flares and CMEs — the key ingredients for aurora displays. That’s why areas like Seattle, which rarely see the northern lights, have had multiple sightings over the past year.
In fact, Seattle experienced spectacular aurora events in May 2024 and again in early 2025.
So, to sum it up: will you see the seattle aurora tonight? It’s possible, especially if skies stay clear and solar activity remains strong. Get away from city lights, look north, and have your camera ready.
Even a faint shimmer can be magical — and you never know when a stronger wave might appear.
Stay updated through tools like the NOAA Aurora Viewer or Aurora Forecast apps. Join local skywatching groups or Reddit communities to track live updates.
Yes, if skies are clear and geomagnetic activity holds
Best time: 10 PM to 2 AM
Best locations: Snoqualmie Pass, Rattlesnake Lake, Whidbey Island
Tools to use: Aurora Forecast apps, NOAA alerts
Keep an eye out — you might just catch the aurora borealis Washington skies are glowing with tonight.
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