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According to a forecast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Northern Lights may be observed in several states in the northern United States overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, after a severe geomagnetic storm was observed early Tuesday morning.
Northern lights light up the sky in Alaska, USA, on September 16, 2024. (Photo by Hasan … (+)
Key data
The aurora borealis forecast for Tuesday night has a Kp index of four on a scale of nine, which NOAA says means the aurora “will be brighter and there will be more auroral activity” than normal.
The opportunity to see the Northern Lights comes from a severe geomagnetic storm on Monday night that made the Aurora Borealis visible from more southerly locations in the U.S., such as Mississippi, Texas and Arizona, the Washington Post reported.
The appearance of the Northern Lights is caused by geomagnetic activities that cause ions to collide with the Earth’s atmospheric gases, creating auroras.
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Where can I see the Northern Lights?
NOAA predicted the Northern Lights could be visible in parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine.
The aurora forecast for Tuesday, September 17, 2024.
What is the best way to observe the Northern Lights?
The best time to see the Northern Lights is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time in a dark place away from city lights. A good vantage point, such as a hilltop with an unobstructed view to the north, is helpful, according to NOAA.
Important background
The aurora borealis have been more visible in recent months as the sun approaches the peak of its solar cycle, expected sometime between late 2024 and early 2026. A coronal mass ejection hit Earth on Monday night, triggering a severe geomagnetic storm just before 8 p.m. EDT, according to Space.com. Monday’s CME was reportedly the fifth-largest solar storm of the current solar cycle, producing a level G4 geomagnetic storm that, according to The Washington Post, provided the “most widespread aurora display” since a historic storm in May caused the northern lights to be visible in all 50 states. The sunspots are expected to continue to intensify over the course of next year, which could bring more geomagnetic storms and opportunities to see the northern lights in the U.S., though these are difficult to predict.
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