Aurora Borealis (Duluth, Eagan, Willmar: camping, live in, cabin)

[AGuyFromCleveland18]

Do you ever see it in Minnesota? Where is a good place to see it, how far north do you have to be?

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by AGuyFromCleveland18

Do you ever see it in Minnesota? Where is a good place to see it, how far north do you have to be?

I've seen it in several places, including Wyoming MN (which might be considered a suburb?).

[DirtMagurt]

Seen the northern lights as far south as Omaha in the past. You don't generally see them if you're anywhere near the Twin Cities, though. Not bright enough to be seen over the light pollution.

[Minnesota Spring]

I have never seen them before in my life and I live in rural southern Minnesota. I think once you get way up north, Perhaps Bemidji or the Iron Range? you can probably see them once in a blue moon. Or so I have heard.

[snofarmer]

We see them all the time. (the Duluth area)
When the conditions are right.
NOAA POES Auroral Activity
NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center

[audadvnc]

I've seen them several times in the country at night. The light pollution makes it well nigh impossible to view in town, though.

[BillWallace]

I've actually seen them once from Eagan many years ago.

As others said, they are somewhat rare and typically the further north you are the better. From our former cabin 30 miles north of Brainerd we probably saw them 2-3 times over a 6 year period.

[DaPerpKazoo]

Of all the times I've been up North I've only seen them once, winter camping outside Hackensack, MN.

[dwilkows]

Originally Posted by AGuyFromCleveland18

Do you ever see it in Minnesota? Where is a good place to see it, how far north do you have to be?

I live in Willmar which is at 45 degrees north and we have seen Northern Lights on many occasions. The most important factor is to be away from light pollution somewhere in a rural area and you won't have a problem seeing them. Are they predictable? Not that I know of.

[snofarmer]

Getting away from any light source will make the viewing much better.

But,
Yes, they are predictable, almost down to the Hr it will occur. Our local weatherman will tell us when they are going to be viewable.
OR you could use or read the links I posted and you can too. or at least understand what it is and where you can see it. Some large displays have been seen way down south.

Originally Posted by dwilkows

I live in Willmar which is at 45 degrees north and we have seen Northern Lights on many occasions. The most important factor is to be away from light pollution somewhere in a rural area and you won't have a problem seeing them. Are they predictable? Not that I know of.