The Northern Lights Could Put On a Dazzling Show Tonight—Thanks to Strongest Solar Storm Since 2003 These states have the greatest chance of spotting the aurora borealis. Close Credit: Diana Robinson Photography / Getty Images Key Points Auroras may be visible as far south as New York tonight as G2-level geomagnetic storm conditions continue, with a Kp index expected to peak at 6.The unsettled conditions follow a severe G4 geomagnetic storm last night that allowed parts of the southern U.S., including Alabama and New Mexico, to see the northern lights after a coronal mass ejection struck Earth on January 19.The best viewing window is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, especially from dark, north-facing locations. Skywatchers in the northern U.S. should bundle up and prepare for a brilliant light show in the sky tonight. According to the latest alert from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), auroras may be visible in states as far south as New York tonight, but conditions continue to fluctuate. The current view line includes parts or all of Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine. The view line indicates the southernmost point where the auroras may be seen, and it can change throughout the day. Currently, the SWPC is predicting G2-level geomagnetic storm conditions, and the Kp index is expected to peak at 6 on a scale of 9. The higher the number, the further south the northern lights could appear. Within this range, auroras can "move even further from the poles and will become quite bright and active," according to the agency. This follows last night's severe G4 geomagnetic storm activity, in which several states in the southern U.S., including Alabama and New Mexico, caught a glimpse of the aurora borealis. Don't Miss A Swarm of Stars Is Visible Throughout January—How to See the 'Beehive Cluster' The Longest Total Solar Eclipse of the Century Is Coming in 2027—How to See It These geomagnetic storms are the result of a strong solar radiation storm that struck Earth’s magnetic field on January 19. According to SWPC, a solar radiation storm occurs when charged particles are accelerated by processes at or near the sun and arrive in enough quantity at Earth. This solar radiation storm has been classified as an S4, making it the strongest solar radiation storm since October 2003. While the intense geomagnetic activity is gradually slowing, forecasters say conditions remain unsettled, meaning the northern lights might be visible further south than usual again tonight. Follow us to see more of our stories on Google. Follow Us On Google The best time to spot the aurora borealis is after sunset through the early morning hours, with peak visibility happening between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. Head to 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. Explore more: News Space & Weather News