To check tonight’s aurora visibility, you’ll want an up-to-date forecast for geomagnetic activity and clear skies in your area. I don’t have live tools available right now, but here’s how to quickly assess it yourself and maximize your viewing chances. Direct answer

• Tonight’s aurora visibility depends on local darkness, clear skies, and space weather activity. If you’re in a northern U.S. region or further north (and skies are clear), there’s a reasonable chance to see faint northern lights toward the late evening to early morning hours. Use a current NOAA or space weather service forecast and a cloud cover check for your exact location to decide whether to step outside tonight.

How to determine tonight’s chances

• Check geomagnetic activity: Look for a recent or upcoming Kp index of 4–6 or higher, which indicates strong enough geomagnetic storms to produce visible auroras at mid to high latitudes. The higher the index and the longer it lasts, the farther south the aurora can be seen.
• Verify local darkness: The window for best visibility is after astronomical twilight ends and before the sky starts brightening at dawn. In many places this is roughly between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, but this varies by location and date.
• Assess cloud cover: Clear or mostly clear skies are essential. If a thick cloud deck is forecast, auroral visibility will be poor regardless of geomagnetic activity.
• Light pollution: Seek a dark-site away from streetlights and city glare, with a northern horizon view if possible.

Practical tips for tonight

• Find a dark spot with an unobstructed northern view.
• Bring a warm jacket and sit or lie down to stay out longer; use a chair or blanket for comfort.
• Give your eyes 15–20 minutes to adapt to darkness before judging visibility.
• Photographing tip: a tripod and a long exposure (10–20 seconds, ISO 800–1600) can reveal fainter aurora that isn’t obvious to the naked eye.

If you’d like, share your location (city or nearest town) and the local time, and I can provide a more tailored viewing plan and step-by-step instructions for tonight’s conditions.