The Northern Lights May Dazzle Across 14 States Tonight—Are You in One of Them?

If you're located in the northern U.S., you might be able to catch a spectacular light show tonight. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center, the northern lights will be visible in the northernmost parts of the U.S. as well as central Canada on July 22.

The forecast predicts a minor geomagnetic storm, measured at a value of G1. Geomagnetic storms are ranked from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme), with G1 storms producing auroras that are visible at higher latitudes like northern Michigan and Maine.

The NOAA also predicts that the Kp index will reach a peak of 5. The Kp Index is a numeric scale, ranging from 0 to 9, that measures geomagnetic activity. According to NOAA, higher Kp values increase the likelihood of seeing auroras at lower latitudes.

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Because of these conditions, 14 states have a chance of spotting the aurora borealis tonight, including, Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

The geomagnetic conditions, which are caused by a stream of solar wind emanating from a coronal hole in the sun's outer atmosphere, are expected to persist through Thursday, according to NOAA.

Areas far from light pollution are likely to offer the best views. Also, you'll want to head out during astronomical twilight—when the sky is dark enough that faint stars and celestial objects become visible—to spot the northern lights. Check to see when your area will experience this period.