Magnetic storms in California
Magnetic storms in California, United States. Current Kp index, 3-day storm forecast, list of cities and geomagnetic activity.
Cities in region23/23
- Los Angeles3,820,914
- San Diego1,404,452
- San Jose997,368
- San Francisco827,526
- Fresno542,107
- Sacramento524,943
- Long Beach474,140
- Oakland419,267
- Bakersfield373,640
- Anaheim350,742
- Riverside317,261
- Santa Ana310,227
- Stockton305,658
- Chula Vista265,757
- Irvine256,927
- Fremont232,206
- San Bernardino216,108
- Fontana212,704
- Modesto211,266
- Oxnard207,254
- Moreno Valley204,198
- Huntington Beach201,899
- Glendale201,020
An aurora visible over California requires Kp ≥ 8 — current activity is below that level.
Numbers for California
Aurora forecast over California
Cities of California — sensitivity table
Minimum Kp shown for a realistic chance of seeing an aurora. The lower the number, the more noticeable storms are in the city.
| City | Population | Geomagnetic latitude | Kp threshold | Sensitivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 3,820,914 | 40.3° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| San Diego | 1,404,452 | 39.1° | ≥ 9 | Low latitudes |
| San Jose | 997,368 | 43.1° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| San Francisco | 827,526 | 43.4° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Fresno | 542,107 | 42.8° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Sacramento | 524,943 | 44.3° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Long Beach | 474,140 | 40.0° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Oakland | 419,267 | 43.5° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Bakersfield | 373,640 | 41.5° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Anaheim | 350,742 | 40.1° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Riverside | 317,261 | 40.3° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Santa Ana | 310,227 | 40.0° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Stockton | 305,658 | 43.8° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Chula Vista | 265,757 | 39.0° | ≥ 9 | Low latitudes |
| Irvine | 256,927 | 40.0° | ≥ 9 | Low latitudes |
| Fremont | 232,206 | 43.3° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| San Bernardino | 216,108 | 40.5° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Fontana | 212,704 | 40.4° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Modesto | 211,266 | 43.5° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Oxnard | 207,254 | 40.3° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Moreno Valley | 204,198 | 40.3° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
| Huntington Beach | 201,899 | 39.9° | ≥ 9 | Low latitudes |
| Glendale | 201,020 | 40.4° | ≥ 8 | Low latitudes |
FAQ about magnetic storms in California
Are auroras visible in California?+
Almost never. California lies at low geomagnetic latitudes (≈ 41.3°). Visible auroras are possible only during extreme events (Kp ≥ 8) that occur once in several years.
How do magnetic storms affect residents of California?+
At Kp ≥ 5 weather-sensitive people may experience blood pressure swings, headaches, sleep disturbances. Effects are moderate due to low geomagnetic latitude. However, strong G3+ storms can cause noticeable discomfort even here.
What Kp is needed to see an aurora in California?+
By our estimate — Kp ≥ 8 (based on the regional mean of 41.3° geomagnetic latitude). The threshold is lower in the north of the region and higher in the south. For a specific city, open its page and check the «Aurora visibility threshold» section.
Where is the best place to watch auroras in California?+
Best conditions are at the northernmost city in our database (Sacramento, 38.6° N). The further north, the higher the geomagnetic latitude and the more frequent the auroras. Also important: clear sky, no city light pollution, and observation around local midnight.
What is the nearest magnetic observatory?+
The nearest observatory is Paratunka (Kamchatka), at 6498 km from the centre of California. It belongs to the INTERMAGNET network and records the geomagnetic field in real time.
About magnetic storms: California
Magnetic storms in California (United States) today: planetary Kp = 3.0 (quiet). The database holds 23 cities in the region with live geomagnetic data and forecasts.
Pick a city from the list to see detailed information: local time, geomagnetic latitude, distance to the nearest magnetic observatory, 3-day Kp chart with forecast and aurora visibility chance. All cities in California use the same planetary Kp, but the local impact is computed individually per coordinates.
How a magnetic storm may manifest in California: at Kp ≥ 5, weather-sensitive people can have headaches, blood-pressure swings, sleep disruption. At Kp ≥ 7, GPS navigation and shortwave radio may glitch. At Kp ≥ 8 — power-grid issues. Data from NOAA SWPC, updated every 10 minutes.
Inside California, geomagnetic latitude varies from 39.0° to 44.3°, with a mean of 41.3°. The northernmost city, Sacramento, gets aurora visibility opportunities first when Kp climbs; the 5.3° south-to-north spread is enough to put neighbouring cities into very different storm-response groups.
The nearest magnetic observatory tracking conditions over California is Paratunka (Kamchatka). Combined with the planetary Kp index from NOAA SWPC, this station gives the closest reference point for how the local magnetic field behaves during storms in this part of United States.