Magnetic storms in Chicago
Magnetic storms in Chicago, Illinois today. Current Kp index, 3-day forecast for Chicago, local time, geomagnetic latitude and aurora visibility chance.
Data as of 12 Jun, 02:00 (America/Chicago).
Weather in Chicago
Weather data: Open-Meteo (CC BY).
Health and geomagnetic storms
A small library on how geomagnetic activity is associated with blood pressure, migraine, sleep, the cardiovascular system, anxiety and general wellbeing. Backed by peer-reviewed research, free of medical advice.
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Local context
Sensitivity · Chicago
Medium sensitivity (mid latitudes)
Kp is a planetary index — the same globally. Local impact depends on geomagnetic latitude: the higher it is, the more noticeable the storm.
14-day calendar with Kp, moon and cloud factors
Seven quick questions and personal tips
Geomagnetic context for Chicago
Magnetic storm in Chicago: 3-day Kp chart
Aurora forecast in Chicago
| Date | Max Kp | Moon | Clouds | Score | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Jun 12 | 4.7 | 12% | 10% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Sat, Jun 13 | 5.7 | 6% | 44% | 5 | Low chance, only the strongest auroras will show. |
| Sun, Jun 14 | 4.7 | 2% | 59% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Mon, Jun 15 | 2.0 | 0% | 52% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Tue, Jun 16 | 3.0* | 1% | 62% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Wed, Jun 17 | 3.0* | 3% | 77% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Thu, Jun 18 | 3.0* | 8% | 47% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Fri, Jun 19 | 3.0* | 15% | 81% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Sat, Jun 20 | 3.0* | 23% | 89% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Sun, Jun 21 | 3.0* | 33% | 58% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Mon, Jun 22 | 3.0* | 43% | 25% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Tue, Jun 23 | 3.0* | 54% | 54% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Wed, Jun 24 | 3.0* | 64% | 44% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
| Thu, Jun 25 | 3.0* | 74% | 27% | 0 | Auroras are very unlikely tonight. |
- Fri, Jun 120Max Kp: 4.7Moon: 12%Clouds: 10%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Sat, Jun 135Max Kp: 5.7Moon: 6%Clouds: 44%Low chance, only the strongest auroras will show.
- Sun, Jun 140Max Kp: 4.7Moon: 2%Clouds: 59%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Mon, Jun 150Max Kp: 2.0Moon: 0%Clouds: 52%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Tue, Jun 160Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 1%Clouds: 62%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Wed, Jun 170Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 3%Clouds: 77%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Thu, Jun 180Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 8%Clouds: 47%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Fri, Jun 190Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 15%Clouds: 81%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Sat, Jun 200Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 23%Clouds: 89%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Sun, Jun 210Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 33%Clouds: 58%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Mon, Jun 220Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 43%Clouds: 25%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Tue, Jun 230Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 54%Clouds: 54%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Wed, Jun 240Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 64%Clouds: 44%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
- Thu, Jun 250Max Kp: 3.0*Moon: 74%Clouds: 27%Auroras are very unlikely tonight.
* Days marked with an asterisk do not have a direct NOAA forecast yet. If we have observations from 27 days ago, we use Bartels recurrence (the Sun rotates roughly every 27 days, so active regions often return with the same period). When no history is available, we substitute a baseline value typical for the current solar cycle 25 peak (Kp 3.0). Accuracy is lower than the direct three-day forecast.
How the score works
The composite score combines three signals: how strong the storm needs to be at your geomagnetic latitude, how bright the moon will be (a full moon hides faint auroras), and how cloudy the sky will be that night. A score of 70 or higher is excellent, 45 to 70 is good, below 20 means you probably will not see anything.
Magnetic storms in Chicago over the last 30 days
Geomagnetic storms of class G1 and above recorded over the past month. Times are shown in the city's local timezone (CDT).
In Chicago (geomagnetic latitude 50.8°), auroras are possible from Kp ≥ 9.
| Date | Peak | Max Kp | Level | Duration | Aurora visible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13:00 | 5.0 | G1 | 3 h | No | |
| 10:00 | 6.3 | G2 | 12 h | No |
Nearby cities
About magnetic storms in Chicago
Magnetic storm in Chicago today: planetary Kp = 3.0 (quiet). Over the last 7 days the maximum Kp above Chicago reached 6.3 (G2); storm days (G1+) this week: 2.
Chicago sits at geomagnetic latitude 50.8°. The nearest magnetic observatory continuously recording the field is Lovozero (Murmansk), 6909 km away. Population 2,664,452.
Chicago is located at mid-latitudes (50.8°), where storm effects on the body are usually mild and noticeable mainly during severe G4 to G5 events. At Kp ≥ 6, some weather-sensitive people may report pressure swings, headaches or restless sleep; routine precautions like extra hydration, less caffeine and lighter physical load during the strongest events are usually enough.
For most technical systems in Chicago (50.8°, mid-latitudes), routine geomagnetic activity has little practical effect. Noticeable GPS, HF radio or grid issues are largely confined to severe G4 to G5 storms. Long-haul drivers, surveyors and HF operators in the region may want to check the forecast during the strongest events. Source: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, refreshed every 10 minutes.
Over Chicago during the last 24 hours. Kp reached a maximum of 5.0 around 13:00 local time and dipped to 2.3. The planetary trend over the past 6 hours is falling — the magnetosphere near Chicago is in the recovery phase. So far this month the planet has logged 2 days with a G1 or stronger geomagnetic storm.
Aurora visibility threshold for Chicago. At a geomagnetic latitude of 50.8°, the minimum Kp giving a realistic chance of visible auroras above Chicago is about Kp ≥ 6. The current equatorial Dst index is 0 nT — the magnetosphere is in a quiet phase. Dst complements Kp by showing how long and how deep a storm's main phase has been — useful context when checking whether auroras are likely tonight.
Weather and atmospheric pressure in Chicago right now. Temperature +19.9°C, atmospheric pressure 739.3 mm Hg (985.7 hPa), cloud cover 100%, humidity 85%, wind 17.7 km/h. During G1+ geomagnetic storms, swings in atmospheric pressure tend to amplify symptoms for weather-sensitive people: those with hypertension often notice blood-pressure spikes, and readings below 1000 hPa combined with Kp ≥ 5 frequently bring headaches and fatigue. That is why the Chicago page shows both indicators side by side. Weather data from Open-Meteo (CC BY).
Aurora viewing window for Chicago tonight. Sunset is at 12:26 local time, sunrise tomorrow at 21:14. Moon phase — waning crescent with 10% disk illumination. Heavy cloud cover lowers the chance of seeing auroras even during a strong storm — it may be worth waiting for the next clear night..