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According to a forecast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, several states in the northern United States may see the Northern Lights overnight from Sunday to Monday due to an approaching geomagnetic storm. (UPDATE: Check out The forecast for Monday can be found here.)
The Northern Lights can be visible as far as Pennsylvania, Iowa and Oregon due to a strong … (+)
Key data
The aurora borealis forecast for Sunday night has a Kp index of seven on a scale of nine, meaning the aurora will be “quite bright and active,” according to NOAA, and may be visible from the northern edge of the United States.
The preliminary forecast for Monday has a Kp index of five – which may mean the aurora will be bright and active enough that it can be “quite pleasant to watch”. That means it will probably be visible in fewer places than on Sunday, but it is still possible to see it.
The appearance of the Northern Lights is due to geomagnetic activity, which can cause ions to collide with Earth’s atmospheric gases and produce auroras. NOAA is predicting a strong geomagnetic storm due to the eruption of solar material on Sunday and Monday.
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From where will the aurora be visible?
According to NOAA, the Northern Lights could be visible Sunday evening from Washington, northern Oregon, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Montana, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, parts of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as large parts of Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska and Iowa.
The aurora forecast for Sunday night.
What is the best way to observe the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights are best seen between 10pm and 2am local time in dark places away from city lights. A good vantage point with a clear view to the north is best.
Important background
The aurora borealis has been seen more frequently in recent months due to the solar cycle that the sun goes through about every 11 years, and NASA predicted that the frequent sightings will continue into next year. Solar activity has been high in recent months as the sun approaches the peak of the cycle, expected between late 2024 and early 2026. Over the course of next year, sunspots are expected to become stronger, which could trigger more geomagnetic storms and viewing opportunities for the Northern Lights in the U.S., though it’s difficult to predict when storms will occur.
What you should pay attention to
If the geomagnetic storm continues later in the week, the chances of seeing the Northern Lights increase.
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