OK - this article gives the (very) approximate peak times as follows:
August 4: 3 AM
August 4: 8 PM
August 5: 2 AM
...so if you're outside at midnight, you're most likely too early.
then again, maybe not - it's REALLY HARD to predict these things.
http://io9.com/5603715/tonights-northern-lights-will-be-incredible-thanks-to-solar-explosions