Topline
Some states in the northern U.S. will likely have an opportunity to see the northern lights on Tuesday, as Earth’s magnetic field is expected to be disrupted by geomagnetic storm conditions, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Earth’s magnetic field may be disrupted enough to pull the phenomenon to more states, forecasters … More
Key Facts
Auroral activity was forecast with a Kp index of four on a scale of nine, suggesting the northern lights will be more active farther from the poles and be “quite pleasing to look at” for those in the right areas, NOAA said.
Earth’s magnetic field is expected to reach minor storm levels Tuesday and persist through Wednesday, amid the effects from a cold, less dense spot on the sun’s surface, according to NOAA’s three-day forecast.
The northern lights will likely be calmer on Wednesday and Thursday, with a maximum Kp index of three forecast for either day, meaning the aurora borealis may not be as visible in parts of Maine or South Dakota.
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Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible?
The highest chance to view the northern lights will be in parts of northern Canada and Alaska, with a view line marking a minimal opportunity forecast just north of Iowa. Areas of northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, northern South Dakota, Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, Upper Michigan and northern Maine will have a lower chance. (See map below.)
Tuesday night’s view line.
What’s The Best Way To See The Northern Lights?
The northern lights are best seen between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time while at a high, north-facing vantage point away from light pollution, according to NOAA.
What’s The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights?
NOAA recommends disabling a smartphone’s flash and turning on night mode. If using a regular camera, photography experts told National Geographic a wide-angle lens, F-stop or aperture of four or less and a focus set to the furthest possible setting are best to capture the northern lights.
Key Background
Electrons from solar events like geomagnetic storms or solar flares interact with oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth’s atmosphere, causing them to become “excited.” This interaction and activity cause these electrons to release the colorful, swirling displays of the aurora borealis. A peak in solar events was achieved in October 2024, according to NOAA and NASA, suggesting the northern lights will be increasingly more visible through early 2026. The strongest geomagnetic storm to impact Earth came months earlier in May 2024, an event that brought the northern lights as far south as northern Florida and Texas.
