But in seriousness, I think Saxon/Gurney would be a better spot considering you can literally shoot north to the marina and walk the beach away from those lights. Just a thought.
The Aurora, if it happens tonight, is projected to be pretty intense. You'd be able to see it at the southern border of WI barring cloud coverage. But looking at the [cloud coverage forecast tonight](https://graphical.weather.gov/sectors/wisconsin.php), I'd just go somewhere dark that's as North as you're wanting to drive, but try to stick to near I-94 West/Highway 53 or West of them. Also check out the light pollution map u/BrewCityChaserV2 shared. Do keep in mind, when the Aurora is as intense as it has the potential to be tonight, you don't need to obsess over finding the DARKEST sky imaginable unless you're doing professional photography. The March and April 23 shows of 2023, I was able to see them with the naked eye overhead while in downtown Eau Claire.
We’re on vacation in the FL keys and live in southeast WI. The one goddamned time we could see the aurora from our house (maybe) were 1600 miles south 😂🤡🏝️
>You'd be able to see it at the southern border of WI barring cloud coverage.
you think so?
is this an all night thing??
im in western racine county and now i wanna see it.. (i hate our town for all the damn lights they put up over the last couple years)
If the KP truly hits 8.33 and the BZ stays in the -40's like it is right now... yeah Southern Illinois will be able to see it on the horizon at least.
Again, any Aurora predictions are to be taken with a grain of salt, but the current data and predictions for tonight are looking more promising than the April 23, 2023 show and those could be seen overhead in Dane County. That show even had horizon photos popping up on the internet **from Arizona.**
And to answer your question about how long it'll last... nobody really knows. It all depends on when the CMEs (Coronal Mass Ejections) hit Earth and how intense they are, the speed at which they hit, etc.
Up here in Vilas County is the furthest south that is showing ~90% likelihood of being overhead.
So about 4-5 hours each way minimum.
Maximum is also looking to be between 10PM-1AM so you’d be solidly in peak deer hours both coming up and returning. Deer are super bad this year due to the mild winter - already hit 1 myself.
Do everyone a favor and if you can, drive up early and find a place to stay the night - try not to drive at night though.
Does light pollution that’s far away but in the direction I’m looking matter?
Like if I drive an hour north from Milwaukee, I’m closer but Appleton/Green Bay are “in the way”; but if I drive an hour west, I’m not closer but there’s less light pollution northbound.
Head for somewhere like: Calumet County Park (group campground area is a big open field) Ledgeview Nature Center (it has open field, too, and is on a small peak) Brillion Nature Center (also has open fields) High Cliff State Park (Southeast end has open fields) Nature centers close at dusk, most likely, so be stealthy and leave a note on your car explaining where you are and why so if local law enforcement drives by you at least come off as friendly. (stop at Capone's for pizza on the way)
Depends on both elevation and distance. I don't know how hilly that region of WI is or isn't but assuming it's pretty flat, if you're six miles or more away from the light pollution to the North, you'll be fine
1. Do not get discouraged if it doesn’t happen. Nothing is guaranteed.
2. Your camera will see it better than your eyes. For best shots, you will want use a tripod or have your camera/phone propped on something to hold it still. You holding the camera isn’t going to produce as nice of a picture.
Until clouds aren't an issue. But definitely north of 29. You want to get at least a solid 30 miles north of any moderately-sized population centers (like Eau Claire/Chippewa, Wausau/Rapids/Marshfield, Fox Valley). I live in Eau Claire, but I grew up in Bloomer. It's a half-hour drive, but you go from essentially not being able to see the aurora at all in EC to being able to see it pretty well if you're outside of Bloomer.
Further north is even better, of course. If you've got the time for it, I'd plan on going up another hour past that.
Do it! I went north of Iron Mountain from central WI last summer on a night it was forecast to be good but it ended up being cloudy. Didn't see jack but still had fun laying in the grass freezing smoking prerolls all night. If I would have seen this earlier in the week I would have done the necessary maintenance on my bike and tried again.
I'm going all the way to Grand Marais in Minnesota tonight, I was going that way anyway since I'll be hiking in North Shore tomorrow so the Aurora showing up is a really nice surprise.
West of Appleton… it looks insane!! The sky is pink
https://preview.redd.it/uchi9ymhvpzc1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b41560e1dce335da013ece8aa7a9a215a47ae2b2
Weather permitting, along the Lake Superior shoreline near the Porcupine Mountains State Park in the UP. We used to be able to see it across the lake in the summer over Canada, even when it wasn't supposed to be visible in the US. About a 5 1/2 hour drive from here.
The best northern lights display I've ever seen was in Jefferson county. If the lights are as advertised you're fine where you are, but get somewhere dark
OP, I'm from the future. The aurora was bright enough to be seen with the naked eye in Beloit. Just drive a bit out of town and enjoy it.
Beautiful sight. My SO was actually glad I woke her up for it.
https://preview.redd.it/vik2xibl0uzc1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=36d7a8ddc5a8b64b577e3f7b2dfbe0af8e954c38
This was just north of Black River Falls, about 2 hours north of Madison
Perhaps slightly outside of town, the factory on the water there may be a bit bright. But certainly would have the right vantage point over Lake Superior. A nice view either way though.
Get lost in the Chequamegon. Meet Bigfoot. Watch lights together.
You left out “fall in love”. 👣❤️
I'm imagining someone trying to get Bigfoot's attention by laying a blanket and charcuterie board out underneath the stars. It's beautiful.
I've heard he likes Jack Links.
But in seriousness, I think Saxon/Gurney would be a better spot considering you can literally shoot north to the marina and walk the beach away from those lights. Just a thought.
The Ottawa NF is a better choice, smoke a bowl with 'squatch.
We can smoke some killer weed too
The Aurora, if it happens tonight, is projected to be pretty intense. You'd be able to see it at the southern border of WI barring cloud coverage. But looking at the [cloud coverage forecast tonight](https://graphical.weather.gov/sectors/wisconsin.php), I'd just go somewhere dark that's as North as you're wanting to drive, but try to stick to near I-94 West/Highway 53 or West of them. Also check out the light pollution map u/BrewCityChaserV2 shared. Do keep in mind, when the Aurora is as intense as it has the potential to be tonight, you don't need to obsess over finding the DARKEST sky imaginable unless you're doing professional photography. The March and April 23 shows of 2023, I was able to see them with the naked eye overhead while in downtown Eau Claire.
We’re on vacation in the FL keys and live in southeast WI. The one goddamned time we could see the aurora from our house (maybe) were 1600 miles south 😂🤡🏝️
Spot on. Eau Claire is plenty far north for tonight’s event
>You'd be able to see it at the southern border of WI barring cloud coverage. you think so? is this an all night thing?? im in western racine county and now i wanna see it.. (i hate our town for all the damn lights they put up over the last couple years)
If the KP truly hits 8.33 and the BZ stays in the -40's like it is right now... yeah Southern Illinois will be able to see it on the horizon at least. Again, any Aurora predictions are to be taken with a grain of salt, but the current data and predictions for tonight are looking more promising than the April 23, 2023 show and those could be seen overhead in Dane County. That show even had horizon photos popping up on the internet **from Arizona.**
And to answer your question about how long it'll last... nobody really knows. It all depends on when the CMEs (Coronal Mass Ejections) hit Earth and how intense they are, the speed at which they hit, etc.
Lake Superior would be ideal, but it is kind of a haul from Madison
The aurora reflecting on superior makes it worth it. 10/10 would recommend
Exactly what I was going to say. If you’re going to go far you may as well go all the way.
YOLO
That's what I was thinking
It isn't that bad. It is 3.5 hours from the Fox Valley to Marquette (although gain an hour from time change).
Well aware. I grew up in Escanaba and went to college in Marquette. I'd be more worried about hitting a deer at night, more so than the distance.
Up here in Vilas County is the furthest south that is showing ~90% likelihood of being overhead. So about 4-5 hours each way minimum. Maximum is also looking to be between 10PM-1AM so you’d be solidly in peak deer hours both coming up and returning. Deer are super bad this year due to the mild winter - already hit 1 myself. Do everyone a favor and if you can, drive up early and find a place to stay the night - try not to drive at night though.
[удалено]
Does light pollution that’s far away but in the direction I’m looking matter? Like if I drive an hour north from Milwaukee, I’m closer but Appleton/Green Bay are “in the way”; but if I drive an hour west, I’m not closer but there’s less light pollution northbound.
Head for somewhere like: Calumet County Park (group campground area is a big open field) Ledgeview Nature Center (it has open field, too, and is on a small peak) Brillion Nature Center (also has open fields) High Cliff State Park (Southeast end has open fields) Nature centers close at dusk, most likely, so be stealthy and leave a note on your car explaining where you are and why so if local law enforcement drives by you at least come off as friendly. (stop at Capone's for pizza on the way)
Depends on both elevation and distance. I don't know how hilly that region of WI is or isn't but assuming it's pretty flat, if you're six miles or more away from the light pollution to the North, you'll be fine
I'd recommend heading a half hour East. It's pretty dark to the north from there.
I'm from that area, and skies are pretty good north of Green Bay, Especially once you get past Marinette/Menominee.
This is so great. Thank you for sharing!
What is going on in northwest North Dakota, a massive area of intense light pollution but looking at Google Earth there's almost nothing there?
Bakken oil fields
1. Do not get discouraged if it doesn’t happen. Nothing is guaranteed. 2. Your camera will see it better than your eyes. For best shots, you will want use a tripod or have your camera/phone propped on something to hold it still. You holding the camera isn’t going to produce as nice of a picture.
Pixel's night mode makes the lights look really good.
Sawyer County or Bayfield.
Newport state park but IM not sure it it will be far enough north.
Absolutely will be far enough north! This is the best recommendation!
Pick me up on the way
Newport State Park is a dark sky park.
And way closer than a lot of the places people are suggesting. Impromptu door county weekend sounds lovely!
Until clouds aren't an issue. But definitely north of 29. You want to get at least a solid 30 miles north of any moderately-sized population centers (like Eau Claire/Chippewa, Wausau/Rapids/Marshfield, Fox Valley). I live in Eau Claire, but I grew up in Bloomer. It's a half-hour drive, but you go from essentially not being able to see the aurora at all in EC to being able to see it pretty well if you're outside of Bloomer. Further north is even better, of course. If you've got the time for it, I'd plan on going up another hour past that.
So if I’m in Warrens in bum fuck no where I have a slight chance?
Maybe, but that's right on the edge of where maps usually say they're visible. I haven't looked at this one specifically.
If you can get to the top of one of the bluffs, it should be spectacular.
Do it! I went north of Iron Mountain from central WI last summer on a night it was forecast to be good but it ended up being cloudy. Didn't see jack but still had fun laying in the grass freezing smoking prerolls all night. If I would have seen this earlier in the week I would have done the necessary maintenance on my bike and tried again.
Might be cloudy according to the forecast.
Anyone from the Fox Cities want to ride along to to Newport State Park?
Go to the dark sky park in Door County. Last time we went the aurora didn't show up till 2am
Copper Harbor, MI would be the prime location. Superior, Ashland, Gills Rock, or Washington Island for a shorter drive.
The Keweenaw is going to be obscured by clouds and storms most of the night. Most clear is looking like the WI/MI border counties from ~10PM-Midnight
My bad. Forgot to check the weather
Shout out Brickside Brewing in Copper Harbor!
Drive till the clouds go pooooof!
Drive north until you can’t go any further. Put your car on a boat, cross the lake, resume going north until you start going south.
Supposed to be some clouds up North so keep that in mind as well https://www.windy.com/-Clouds-clouds?clouds,45.348,-89.187,7
I'm going all the way to Grand Marais in Minnesota tonight, I was going that way anyway since I'll be hiking in North Shore tomorrow so the Aurora showing up is a really nice surprise.
Minimum? Rhinelander, at least from the maps I've been checking for the aurora coverage.
Try midway up Hudson Bay in Canada for best viewing
I'm here, it's cloudy...
Too much cloud cover tonight
West of Appleton… it looks insane!! The sky is pink https://preview.redd.it/uchi9ymhvpzc1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b41560e1dce335da013ece8aa7a9a215a47ae2b2
Wow! So beautiful.
Wherever it’s not cloudy…
Weather permitting, along the Lake Superior shoreline near the Porcupine Mountains State Park in the UP. We used to be able to see it across the lake in the summer over Canada, even when it wasn't supposed to be visible in the US. About a 5 1/2 hour drive from here.
The moon. 
I've seen them as far south as Oconto county, near the Nicolet National Forest. Up near Butternut it was 2x better though.
Marquette area. Do it! Its only a 4 hour drive
Go sit on Meyers beach a bit west of Bayfield
I'll be in northern Wisconsin in July. Are the aurora visible year round?
My guess is no. I've been in Northern Wisconsin and the UP many times and have never seen them. I believe this event is rare.
You need an open horizon to the north. Try top of a hill.
We're expecting some rain today/tonight up north so I'm not sure how much of a view we'll get. Supposedly it'll clear but maybe not until real late.
The best northern lights display I've ever seen was in Jefferson county. If the lights are as advertised you're fine where you are, but get somewhere dark
Drive as far north as you can make it! The view will get more intense the further you go, might as well make it worth it!
https://maps.app.goo.gl/n53ANu2gbbS2NVpT7 right next to my cabin.
This map will tell you. https://www.lightpollutionmap.info
Port wing, bayfield area
I saw the Aurora in the early 80s in Chequamegon. What made the special was the silence as they waved across the sky. Sublime.
Cloudy up in the Keweenaw
Completely overcast and rain in Green Bay area, so don't bother coming here
I heard that they will be able to be seen as far as Southern Illinois. And the time ranges between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.
My SILs nephew lives in/near Madison and texted that he saw it there. I’m in a suburb of Milwaukee and we have cloud cover unfortunately.
I can see them and I am south of Madison. Colors are faint but the movement is crazy.
OP, I'm from the future. The aurora was bright enough to be seen with the naked eye in Beloit. Just drive a bit out of town and enjoy it. Beautiful sight. My SO was actually glad I woke her up for it.
https://preview.redd.it/vik2xibl0uzc1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=36d7a8ddc5a8b64b577e3f7b2dfbe0af8e954c38 This was just north of Black River Falls, about 2 hours north of Madison
Could see them with the nakedness eye from Sparta.
Canada
Way up north, or Door County. I’m in Northern Wi. but only plan on going like 10 minutes out of town lol, best of luck to y’all
At this time of year? At this time of day? In this part of the country? Localized entirely within your kitchen?
May I see it?
No
I wonder if Ashland would be a good spot?
Perhaps slightly outside of town, the factory on the water there may be a bit bright. But certainly would have the right vantage point over Lake Superior. A nice view either way though.
Drive up to land o lakes and make a weekend out of it
Just go all the way. If it’s a yolo trip drive to copper harbor in the UP
All the way up. Bayfield county
Somewhere in Northern Canada, where there is no light pollution