After the northern lights put on a dazzling show earlier this week, a little cosmic momentum is still in the forecast tonight
Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- A minor geomagnetic storm could make the northern lights visible in parts of the U.S. tonight
- Stronger solar activity might expand visibility to more states, but forecasts remain uncertain
- Dark skies and patience are key for spotting auroras, which can appear faint before intensifying
A little cosmic momentum is still in the forecast tonight!
After the northern lights put on a dazzling show over North Dakota, Canada and Iceland earlier this week, the solar eruptions expected to stir up Wednesday night’s sky have been delayed or possibly missed Earth altogether.
For reference, the northern lights (aurora borealis) are a result of geomagnetic storms, which occur when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, creating brilliant waves of light in the sky.
However, a minor G1 geomagnetic storm remains possible, with a chance of a stronger G2 event if lingering solar material finally arrives.
Still, the forecast remains uncertain as several coronal mass ejections could have merged in space into one “cannonball CME” event, though the UK Met Office now says impact is unlikely.
In the meantime, read on for everything you need to know about this stellar event.
When will the northern lights be visible?
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If solar activity picks up, look up after the sky goes dark!
Still, given the low-level magnitude of this forecast it’s best to check NOAA’s short-term aurora map before heading outisde.
Where will the northern lights be visible?
A G1 storm would mostly favor Alaska and the northern tier of the U.S., including parts of North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Washington, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and South Dakota.
However, a surprise G2 could theoretically stretch the view south toward Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, but you can treat this list as a “maybe,” not a promise, per NOAA.
How to watch the northern lights?
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Auroras are surprisingly faint to the naked eye at first, especially during weaker geomagnetic storms, so dark skies make all the difference!
Patience matters, too! After all, auroral activity can fluctuate quickly, sometimes appearing as a faint glow before suddenly erupting into visible ribbons or waves of green light.
Remember to also keep tabs on real-time conditions using NOAA’s 30-minute aurora forecast and space-weather apps that track solar wind and magnetic field changes.
How to photograph the northern lights?
If you’re using a smartphone, switch to night mode or long exposure mode and hold the camera as still as possible — ideally with a tripod or by propping it against something stable. You’ll want to keep your setup as steady as possible, since the auroras are best captured with long exposures.
All you have to do is head to your device’s settings and tap the “night mode” option or “pro mode,” which offers similar exposure times.
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