The Northern Lights Could Appear Farther South Than Usual Tonight—Here's How to See Them

Good news, skywatchers! Auroras might appear in your area tonight, especially if you're located in the uppermost regions of the U.S.

Thanks to a passing coronal mass ejection (CME), the northern lights may be visible in up to 18 states tonight. A CME is a cloud of charged particles often created by solar flares from the sun. If they are directed toward Earth, they can produce geomagnetic storms and auroras.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), G1 (minor) geomagnetic storms are expected through the rest of today, June 12, with G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm conditions likely tonight into tomorrow, June 13.

Based on NOAA's current aurora forecast, Alaska, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin have the highest likelihood of seeing the northern lights tonight, though visibility could extend farther south if geomagnetic storm conditions strengthen.

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Depending on the intensity of the storm conditions, auroras may be visible in states as far south as Oregon, Wyoming, Iowa, Illinois, New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

The Kp index is expected to peak at 5.67 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, 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 it is better at picking up faint auroras than the naked eye.

In the days leading up to the June solstice (June 21), nights become very short, with twilight persisting for much of the night in the northern U.S. This limits darkness and makes the auroras more difficult to see. But the new moon on June 14 means tonight's display won't have to compete with bright moonlight.