12 States Could See the Northern Lights This Weekend—See the Forecast Here

Here's when and where to spot the dazzling displays.

Northern lights over a forest with trees silhouetted against the vibrant aurora
Credit:

William Kennedy / Getty Images
  • The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a G1 geomagnetic storm watch due to a high-speed solar wind, which could push the northern lights farther south than usual. The Kp index is forecast to reach 4.67 late Friday, increasing the chances of auroras in northern U.S. states.
  • Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine have the best chances of seeing the auroras, with northern Wyoming and northern New York having a slight chance tomorrow night.
  • The best viewing time is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time from a dark, north-facing location away from light pollution. However, the bright waning gibbous moon, which is nearly 90 percent illuminated, may make the auroras harder to see.

Skywatchers, be on the lookout this weekend. Several northern states and Canada are in line to experience auroras tonight and tomorrow.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has issued a G1 geomagnetic storm watch thanks to the emergence of a high-speed solar wind. This could cause the northern lights to be visible further south than usual.

The Kp index is predicted to reach 4.67 late Friday on a scale of 9. The higher the number, the further south the northern lights could appear. At a Kp from 4 to 5, auroras may be seen low on the northern horizon in states near the Canadian border.

Based on the current aurora view lines for tonight and tomorrow, which indicate the southernmost point where the lights may be seen, those in Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine have the best chance of spotting the dazzling displays. The northernmost parts of Wyoming and New York also have a slight chance of catching the northern lights tomorrow night.

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Peak aurora season happens around the spring and fall equinoxes each year, so as we approach March 20 (the spring equinox), you can expect more activity. If you want to see the northern lights tonight and over the weekend, 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. 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.

Keep in mind that tonight's waning gibbous moon will be 89.7 percent illuminated, which could affect your view of the auroras.

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