A Rare Northern Lights Display May Be Visible in 18 States Tonight

Attention aurora chasers, the night sky could put on a show this evening.

According to the latest forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), G2–G3 (moderate-strong) geomagnetic storm conditions are anticipated tonight, June 4, through tomorrow, June 5, as multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) head toward Earth. A CME is an expulsion of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun.

Also, the incoming eruptions may merge before arrival in a phenomenon known as a "cannibal CME," which could further intensify the impact on Earth. There's also a possibility of isolated periods of G4 (severe) geomagnetic storming, depending on the CMEs' direction. However, high-speed solar wind from a coronal hole could deflect the energy, the SWPC notes.

Related Stories

Atlantic Hurricane Season Starts Today—Here's What Forecasters Are Expecting

Mosquito Season Is Especially Bad in These US Cities This Year

During G3 geomagnetic storm conditions, auroras can become visible in mid-latitudes as far south as Illinois and Oregon, according to NOAA. Based on the current forecasted aurora view line, which indicates the southernmost point where viewers may see the auroras, Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming have the greatest chance of experiencing the northern lights tonight.

Plus, the Kp index is expected to peak at 7 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 spot 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 your phone's camera is better at picking up faint auroras than the naked eye.

Keep in mind that an 82 percent illuminated waning gibbous moon will brighten the sky tonight, potentially interfering with fainter auroras. Also, in the lead-up to the summer solstice, nights are short, which makes auroras more difficult to spot.