148/160 observing locations currentCoverage details

Forecasts are withheld individually when their recorded expiry is reached; other independently current areas remain available.

National comparisons: Wednesday night, September 16-17. Other current local nights remain available on their place pages and map.

Each place changes to its coming night at natural dawn. Next forecast renewal is due by 2026-09-17T10:47:24.468Z.

State forecasts are available for 41 of 50 states. The map includes 140 current forecast areas and withholds 10 unavailable areas. The next currently available identity expires at 2026-09-17T12:00:00.000Z.

Great Sand Dunes National Park — unavailable: insufficient contiguous supported samples for a current-night decision
Big Bend National Park — unavailable: insufficient contiguous supported samples for a current-night decision
Durango, CO — unavailable: insufficient contiguous supported samples for a current-night decision
Sioux City, IA — unavailable: The model could not support an observing window from the complete current-night inputs. No forecast score is published.
Calais, ME — unavailable: The model could not support an observing window from the complete current-night inputs. No forecast score is published.
Billings, MT — unavailable: insufficient contiguous supported samples for a current-night decision
Bismarck, ND — unavailable: The model could not support an observing window from the complete current-night inputs. No forecast score is published.
Albuquerque, NM — unavailable: insufficient contiguous supported samples for a current-night decision
Sioux Falls, SD — unavailable: The model could not support an observing window from the complete current-night inputs. No forecast score is published.
Van Horn, TX — unavailable: insufficient contiguous supported samples for a current-night decision
Powell, WY — unavailable: insufficient contiguous supported samples for a current-night decision
Green River, WY — unavailable: insufficient contiguous supported samples for a current-night decision
Colorado — unavailable: Regional observing nights are changing at different times. A same-night state forecast will return after all three regions change nights.
Iowa — unavailable: This state forecast is unavailable because at least one of its three regional forecasts is withheld. See the affected region for its reason.
Maine — unavailable: This state forecast is unavailable because at least one of its three regional forecasts is withheld. See the affected region for its reason.
Montana — unavailable: This state forecast is unavailable because at least one of its three regional forecasts is withheld. See the affected region for its reason.
North Dakota — unavailable: This state forecast is unavailable because at least one of its three regional forecasts is withheld. See the affected region for its reason.
New Mexico — unavailable: Regional observing nights are changing at different times. A same-night state forecast will return after all three regions change nights.
South Dakota — unavailable: This state forecast is unavailable because at least one of its three regional forecasts is withheld. See the affected region for its reason.
Texas — unavailable: Regional observing nights are changing at different times. A same-night state forecast will return after all three regions change nights.
Wyoming — unavailable: Regional observing nights are changing at different times. A same-night state forecast will return after all three regions change nights.

State overview · Conditions vary by location

California

Wednesday night, September 16-17

Recheck

Conditions: 67 · Borderline

Best window: Thu, 4:00 AM PDT-Thu, 5:30 AM PDT
Main limiter: Cloud cover

Moderate confidence forecastOne weather source (NWS); independent agreement unavailable, so confidence is capped at moderate.

Issued Sep 17, 3:46 AM PDT

Forecast expires Sep 17, 5:30 AM PDT

Next step: Recheck after the next complete update before planning a trip.

Plan on mapSaves on this device.

Decision details and other actions

Is California good for stargazing for Wednesday night, September 16-17?

Current conditions look limited in the selected California forecast area during Wednesday night, September 16-17. This score does not determine whether a different night is stronger.

Forecast source cycle: Sep 16 (UTC)

Single weather provider (NWS); independent agreement unavailable. Confidence is capped at medium. Confidence is medium.

Main limiter: Cloud cover

Generated: Thursday, Sep 17, 2026, 10:47 AM UTC

Regional forecast sample: San Mateo, CA. This is a forecast area, not a ranked observing destination.

Verified destination guide: Death Valley National Park

Back to all states Event hub

How this score works

Score combines the supported cloud, Moon and darkness inputs available for this forecast scope.

California hourly decision inputs

Use the hourly view to see when conditions improve, weaken, or become too uncertain to support a plan.

Night WindowConditions across your night

Thu, 4:00 AM PDTThu, 5:00 AM PDT

Selected comparison windowScale: 0–100

Strongest supported comparison window

Thu, 4:00 AM PDT-Thu, 5:30 AM PDT

Compare individual samples below before choosing your hour.

1 / 3

Full hourly data table · 3 samples

Scroll sideways for all conditions. Keyboard: focus the table, then use the arrow keys.

Hourly general-stargazing score, clouds, precipitation, Moon interference, darkness and confidence
Score	Clouds	Rain	Moon	Darkness	Confidence
75 (selected window)	44%	11%	0%	100%	Moderate confidence forecast
75 (selected window)	44%	11%	0%	100%	Moderate confidence forecast
67 (selected window)	58%	9%	0%	100%	Moderate confidence forecast

Thu 4:00 AM selected

Score 75 (Conditions: Borderline). Confidence: Moderate confidence forecast.

This hour belongs to the selected comparison window; its own score still controls whether the hour is favorable.

Clouds 44%

Precipitation 11%

Moon effect 0%

Darkness 100%

Confidence and evidence

Selected window is relative, not a claim that every included hour is favorable or uninterrupted clear sky.

Scope: A conservative state summary copied from the highest eligible same-night forecast zone; it does not imply statewide coordinate precision.

Confidence: Moderate confidence forecast. Single weather provider (NWS); independent agreement unavailable. Confidence is capped at medium. Confidence is medium.

Main limiter: Cloud cover is the main limit on this window.

Confidence describes evidence strength, not the probability that an observing session will succeed.

Regional forecast samples in this state

Broad planning samples, not ranked observing destinations

California map

State map images are temporarily unavailable. Review the regional forecast samples below for their available details.

Crescent City, CA

Best window: Thursday 4:00 AM PDT-Thu, 5:30 AM PDT

Regional darkness proxy: 100%

Cloud cover

Inspect forecast sample

San Mateo, CA

Best window: Thursday 4:00 AM PDT-Thu, 5:30 AM PDT

Regional darkness proxy: 100%

Cloud cover

Inspect forecast sample

Los Angeles, CA

Best window: No verified same-night window

Regional darkness proxy: 100%

Cloud cover

Inspect forecast sample

Planning beyond tonight

Longer-range state guidance

Seven-night planning is not available on this page. Missing nights are not estimated; recheck as each night enters the supported forecast window.

Guides for this state

Practical reads before local execution

How to Choose a Good Public Stargazing Spot Bortle Scale for Stargazing: What Each Class Really Means Guide hub