Northern Lights in Medora

Yes. North Dakota sits far enough north for the aurora borealis to appear several times a year, and the Badlands around Medora are dark enough to see it well. Since 1940, Medora has averaged about 20 nights a year with aurora-strength activity (Kp 5 or higher) after dark under a mostly clear sky.

September and October, followed by August and April. Geomagnetic storms are most common around the spring and fall equinoxes, and fall brings long nights and clearer skies than spring. December, January and June offer the fewest chances.

Most displays peak in the middle of the night, roughly 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Mountain Time, but a strong storm can light up the sky any time it is fully dark. Medora is on Mountain Time.

A Kp of 5 or higher usually brings the lights to the northern horizon. At Kp 6 a display to the north is likely, and at Kp 7 or more the aurora can climb high overhead. At Kp 4, a phone camera in night mode may catch a faint glow that the eye misses.

Anywhere with an open view to the north and no lights in the way. The Library is a dark-sky campus where every outdoor light points down, and its boardwalk around the butte is open year-round. Check hours and directions before you go.

Reliable forecasts reach only one to three days ahead, because the solar storms that cause the aurora take about that long to reach Earth. To plan a trip further out, choose dates in the best months and near a new moon. The trip planner above ranks every night of the coming year using past records, the solar cycle, the moon and NOAA’s 45-day outlook.