Don't Miss the Northern Lights This Week! Here's How to See Them

It's only the first week of April, but the sky is already preparing to put on an impressive show for stargazers. This week, the northern lights are expected to illuminate the night sky, dazzling people across the country.

On Thursday, April 3, and Friday, April 4, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts that the aurora borealis will be visible throughout North America. According to the NOAA's view line, those in parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine may be able to see the northern lights over the next two nights.

The Kp index is expected to reach three tonight and five tomorrow night. Per the Geophysical Institute, the Kp Index is a numeric scale, ranging from one to 10, that describes geomagnetic activity and is computed by averaging the magnetic activity globally every three hours.

The NOAA publishes a dual map daily, featuring the aurora forecast for tonight and tomorrow. The two maps show the aurora and view line. The brightness and location of the aurora are typically depicted as a green oval, which turns red when the forecast is expected to be more intense. On April 4, the view map shows a red oval, so stargazers should expect an impressive sight.

Per the NOAA, the northern lights aren't visible during daylight hours. The best time to observe this celestial phenomenon is during the evening from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. local time. Travel away from street or city lights and air pollution, then look up and wait to be amazed.