Upgraded Northern Lights Alert: 14 States May See Aurora This Weekend
Days after the Northern Lights were glimpsed from northern U.S states — including Idaho, New Hampshire, Michigan and even Massachusetts — displays may be visible once again on Saturday night (July 26-27), according to a forecast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center.
Although astronomical darkness is in short supply at northerly latitudes, sky-watchers in 14 U.S. states may have a chance to see the aurora borealis on the northern horizon during the night into Sunday morning.
Northern Lights Tonight: Latest Forecast
The agency's new three-day forecast indicates a minor geomagnetic storm, measured at a value of up to G1 on a scale of G1 to G5. According to NOAA's forecast, the Kp index — which provides a rough guide to the intensity of aurora displays — may reach 5 around 09:00-12:00 UTC (4:00 a.m. through 7:00 a.m. EDT).
However, there is also a possibility that the geomagnetic storm could be a stronger G2 event. In a discussion post, NOAA officials stated that a G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm is likely on July 27 'with a chance for isolated G2 (Moderate) periods due to CME effects from an event that left the Sun on 23 July.'
According to Spaceweather.com, the cause is a coronal mass ejection — a clump of charged particles ejected by the sun on July 23 — which is expected to interact with Earth's atmosphere. NASA's WSA-Enlil model has the CME striking Earth.
Northern Lights Tonight: Where Aurora May Be Visible
Keep an eye on NOAA's latest aurora viewline for an indication of exactly where aurora displays will potentially be seen from, but it will likely include parts of 14 northern U.S. states, and Canada, on July 26/27.
U.S. states that may see aurora include (northerly parts of) Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Areas far from light pollution are likely to offer the best views.
Check NOAA's 30-minute forecast or use the Glendale App for the latest forecasts and real-time information on substorms.
Northern Lights Tonight: Why Aurora Are Being Seen So Far South
The aurora borealis is being seen at more southerly latitudes than usual due to an increase in solar activity. Magnetic activity on the sun is currently at a 23-year high because it's reached solar maximum — the height of our star's 11-year solar cycle.
Having possibly peaked in late 2024, the sun may now be quietening down, but solar maximum periods often have double peaks. It's also known that some of the best aurora displays can happen in the two years post-solar maximum. Decent aurora sightings in the U.S. are thus expected through 2026 and 2027.
Northern Lights Tonight: Best Places And Times To See The Aurora
The best places to see the Northern Lights are those at about 65 degrees north latitude between September and March (when there is sufficient hours of darkness). This is where the auroral oval sits, making northern Norway, northern Sweden, northern Finland, Iceland, Alaska and northern Canada reliable places for aurora sightings when skies are clear.
Northern Lights Tonight: Aurora Explained
The Northern Lights are caused by disturbances in Earth's magnetic field created by the solar wind. As charged particles accelerate along the magnetic field lines toward the polar regions, they collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms, exciting them. That causes a photon of light to be released.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
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