156/160 observing locations currentCoverage details

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

National comparisons: Sunday night, September 13-14. 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 2026-09-14T07:02:05.147Z.

State forecasts are available for 46 of 50 states. The map includes 146 current forecast areas and withholds 4 unavailable areas. The next currently available identity expires at 2026-09-14T09:00:00.000Z.

Boston, MA — unavailable: The model could not support an observing window from the complete current-night inputs. No forecast score is published.
Billings, MT — unavailable: The model could not support an observing window from the complete current-night inputs. No forecast score is published.
Williston, ND — unavailable: The model could not support an observing window from the complete current-night inputs. No forecast score is published.
Newport, RI — unavailable: The model could not support an observing window from the complete current-night inputs. No forecast score is published.
Massachusetts — 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.
Rhode Island — unavailable: This state forecast is unavailable because at least one of its three regional forecasts is withheld. See the affected region for its reason.

State overview · Conditions vary by location

South Dakota

Sunday night, September 13-14

Recheck

Conditions: 57 · Borderline

Best window: Mon, 1:30 AM MDT-Mon, 5:00 AM MDT
Main limiter: Cloud cover

Low confidence forecastSingle weather provider (NWS); independent agreement unavailable. Confidence is capped at medium. Confidence is low.

Issued Sep 14, 1:01 AM MDT

Forecast expires Sep 14, 5:00 AM MDT

Next step: Recheck after the next complete update; no unbound recovery option is presented as a recommendation.

Plan on mapSaves on this device.

Decision details and other actions

Is South Dakota good for stargazing for Sunday night, September 13-14?

Current conditions look limited in the selected South Dakota forecast area during Sunday night, September 13-14. This score does not determine whether a different night is stronger.

Forecast updated Sep 13

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

Main limiter: Cloud cover

Generated: Monday, Sep 14, 2026, 7:01 AM UTC

Regional forecast sample: Lead, SD. This is a forecast area, not a ranked observing destination.

Back to all states Event hub

How this score works

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

South Dakota hourly decision inputs

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

Strongest supported comparison window

Mon, 1:30 AM MDT-Mon, 5:00 AM MDT

This is the strongest continuous interval among the supported options. Use each row's score to judge the quality of a specific hour.

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

Hourly general-stargazing score, clouds, precipitation, Moon interference, darkness and confidence
Score	Clouds	Rain	Moon	Darkness	Confidence
52 (selected window)	84%	57%	0%	100%	Moderate confidence forecast
57 (selected window)	76%	57%	0%	100%	Moderate confidence forecast
57 (selected window)	76%	57%	0%	100%	Moderate confidence forecast
67 (selected window)	57%	57%	0%	100%	Moderate confidence forecast
67 (selected window)	57%	57%	0%	100%	Moderate confidence forecast
77 (selected window)	40%	57%	0%	100%	Moderate confidence forecast
77 (selected window)	40%	57%	0%	100%	Moderate confidence forecast

Mon 1:30 AM selected

Score 52 (Conditions: Poor). Confidence: Moderate confidence forecast.

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

Clouds 84%

Precipitation 57%

Moon effect 0%

Darkness 100%

Confidence and evidence

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

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

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

South Dakota map

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

Mobridge, SD

Best window: No verified same-night window

Regional darkness proxy: 100%

Cloud cover

Inspect forecast sample

Lead, SD

Best window: Monday 1:30 AM MDT-Mon, 5:00 AM MDT

Regional darkness proxy: 100%

Cloud cover

Inspect forecast sample

Sioux Falls, SD

Best window: Monday 2:30 AM CDT-Mon, 5:00 AM CDT

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