A Northern Lights Display Could Dazzle Skies This Weekend—What to Know

Auroras may appear in the northern U.S. again tonight.

Aurora borealis over a silhouetted landscape with a water reflection depicting a natural phenomenon in the night sky
Credit:

Andrew Peacock / Getty Images

Once again, some aurora enthusiasts might have a chance to see the sky light up tonight.

According to the latest forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), active geomagnetic conditions and isolated minor (G1) storm periods could result in auroras appearing through tonight and into Saturday, as the effects of a fast solar wind that passed by Earth linger. Because of this, the northern lights could be possible at high latitudes.

Based on the current forecasted aurora view line, which indicates the southernmost point where viewers may see the auroras, Alaska, Canada, and the northernmost parts of the U.S., including Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Washington, have the greatest chance of spotting the northern lights tonight.

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Also, the Kp index is expected to peak at 3.67 on a scale of 9. The higher the number, the farther south the northern lights can appear.

If you want to catch the northern lights tonight, head outside between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time and find 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, as it's better at picking up faint auroras than the naked eye.

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