Key Points
- Northern lights may be visible across 15 northern U.S. states tonight due to G1-level geomagnetic storm conditions caused by a stream of fast solar wind, according to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.
- States with viewing potential include Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and parts of the Midwest and Northeast.
- The best viewing window is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, though moonlight and cloud cover may interfere.
The northern lights are once again set to glow across parts of the northern U.S. tonight, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SPWC).
Thanks to G1-level geomagnetic storm conditions caused by an incoming stream of fast solar wind, stargazers in 15 states, including Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Maine, New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire have a chance of spotting the auroras, based on the SPWC’s current view line.
Plus, the Kp index is expected to peak at 5 on a scale of 9. The higher the number, the further south the northern lights could appear. Within this range, auroras can be “brighter, and there will be more auroral activity,” according to the agency.
The best time to spot the northern lights is after sunset through the early morning hours, with peak visibility happening between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time.
If you’re in one of the 15 states, head to a north-facing point with a clear view of the horizon, far away from light pollution. Be sure to give your eyes time to adjust and use your phone’s camera to scan the sky since it’s better at picking up faint auroras than the naked eye. Keep in mind that tonight’s waning gibbous moon may affect your viewing experience since it’s 69 percent illuminated, and cloudy skies could also block your view of the light show.