Colorado Aurora Update: The Northern Lights are already roaring and the Front Range should have excellent viewing for several hours after sunset Thursday!

All systems are a go for an excellent evening of aurora viewing in Front Range Colorado as the strongest solar storm of 2024 unfolds tonight (Thursday October 10th). We take a look at the latest solar particle observations which are already higher than they were back in May and also what type of weather will negatively impact tonight’s viewing in our area. Read on for our team’s recommendation on the best time and place to head out to take in the Lights tonight!

s of writing on Thursday early evening, we’re already seeing reports of fantastic displays of aurora across the eastern United States and much of Europe. The latest Kp index observations (i.e. not a forecast) show a staggering value over close to 9, which is higher than the peak back in May when many saw the Northern Lights for the first time in their lives. This isn’t a matter of maybe the aurora will develop tonight, or maybe not. There’s no waiting game right now folks. The aurora is already happening in our sky— we just have to wait for it to get dark enough to see it!

As we discussed in our weekend outlook, there will be some weather issues impacting aurora viewing Thursday night in Colorado, but all hope is not lost!

Here are the three main factors to consider tonight:

1. Wildfire Smoke: It’s thickest to the east across the Eastern Plains. Don’t go out there for viewing, though aurora can be seen through moderate smoke, it will lessen its vibrance.
2. Daytime cumulus clouds still bubbling over the terrain: These will fizzle out around or just after sunset. Don’t be afraid to head up into the Mountains to get away from the light pollution. It may seem too cloudy as the sun comes down, but these will dissipate quickly after sunset!
3. Incoming mid-level clouds from the west: These are going to be the biggest hurdle for viewing in our area. These clouds should arrive to the Denver area between 9PM and midnight Thursday evening, with viewing thereafter becoming more challenging regionwide. The clouds are somewhat wispy, so even with them overhead obscuring most of the sky, aurora may still be visible through the cloud deck, but why take the risk. Get out before the clouds arrive if you can!

Considering all these factors, we recommend viewing between 8PM and 11PM in a dark spot between Denver, Cheyenne, and Fort Morgan, or anywhere up in the Mountains with a good view of the (northern) sky. Not too far west though as those pesky clouds will be moving in sooner from the northwest there.

Weather conditions will be pleasant as well with light winds and temperatures generally in the middle 50s to 60s through the evening! Keep an eye on the sky cover though!

Good luck everyone and enjoy the show. Don’t let us down, Sun!

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BoulderCAST Team

This post had major contributions from at least two members of our team. The more meteorologists the better, right?

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