Topline
According to a forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an intense geomagnetic storm is predicted to result in significantly more vibrant auroras than normal. These displays might be observable in almost two dozen states on Saturday evening, including several where such phenomena are seldom seen.
Key Facts
The NOAA forecast for Saturday night suggests an aurora borealis show with a Kp index of 7, which measures geomagnetic storm intensity ranging from 0 to 9. This indicates that the lights will be quite vivid and dynamic, having extended much closer to the equator than usual.
The aurora is anticipated to appear farther south than normal due to a powerful geomagnetic storm, according to NOAA, which attributes this phenomenon to a coronal mass ejection —an eruption The influx of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun is anticipated to arrive at Earth during the night.
The strong lights forecast comes amid a particularly active few days, as NOAA said moderate geomagnetic storms were observed between Thursday and Friday.
Minor to moderate geomagnetic storms are expected to continue into Monday, according to the NOAA’s three-day forecast, as the northern lights forecast weakens, but could still be visible in at least 10 states, later in the weekend.
Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible?
The entirety of Alaska has a high likelihood of seeing the aurora, according to NOAA’s forecast. Other states within the red zone of NOAA’s forecast map, indicating a high likelihood of an aurora, include the northern tips of Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota. Other states with a lower chance include Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Michigan. The NOAA’s projected view line—the southernmost point at which the aurora is estimated to be visible, indicating the lowest chance of visibility—passes through Oregon, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
What’s The Best Way To See The Northern Lights?
The lights are best viewed when it is dark outside, particularly between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, according to the NOAA. The agency recommends avoiding light pollution, finding the highest vantage point possible and traveling north.
What’s The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights?
National Geographic recommends using a wide-angle lens and a tripod for stability, as well as night mode, if the user has an iPhone. National Geographic also recommends using an aperture value of 4.0 or lower and adding details to the image by capturing trees, bodies of water or mountains to frame the picture.
Key Background
The northern lights have been especially active over the past year because of heightened solar activity, including stronger instances of solar flares and geomagnetic storms. The sun is so active because it is currently in its “solar maximum,” the period in its 11-year cycle during which solar events like flares and storms are more common. NASA said the lights hit a 500-year peak last year, which it expects to continue through 2026 before decreasing. Some of the strongest solar flares in decades have been observed over the past year, including an X9.0-level flare in October, which caused northern lights to be visible as south as Florida .
Further Reading
Northern Lights Displays Hit A 500-Year Peak In 2024—Here’s Where You Could Catch Aurora Borealis In 2025 ()
