Topline
A decently strong northern lights forecast is expected for Wednesday night, according to the latest forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as minor-to-moderate geomagnetic storms loom.
The northern lights may be visible in about 10 states Wednesday night. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Key Facts
NOAA projected lights for Wednesday night with a Kp index of 4, a measure of strength on a scale of 0 to 9, indicating “more auroral activity” that can be “quite pleasing to look at” from the right vantage point.
The agency said a minor-to-moderate geomagnetic storm, measured at a value of G2 on a scale of G1 to G5, may occur Wednesday night due to a “recurrent fast solar wind stream affecting Earth.”
The lights are expected to be visible in the northernmost states later in the week, though the forecast will weaken slightly after Wednesday night.
Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible?
Nearly all of Alaska and Canada have a strong chance of viewing the northern lights, according to NOAA’s forecast. Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota also have some of the strongest chances. Other states that fall within the aurora’s “view line,” the southernmost point at which the lights may be visible, include Washington, Idaho, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine.
What’s The Best Way To See The Northern Lights?
The aurora is most visible between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, according to NOAA. The agency recommends avoiding light pollution, traveling as far south as possible and finding a high vantage point.
What’s The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights?
Experts told National Geographic the best way to capture the lights is by using a wide-angle lens and a tripod for stability. For iPhone users, the camera app’s night mode can help make the lights pop. Other strategies that can help produce a better image include 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 made frequent appearances across the northern United States in recent months because the sun is currently in its “solar maximum,” the period in its 11-year cycle during which solar activity, like flares and geomagnetic storms, are common. These events can produce strong northern lights, and over the past year, some especially strong solar events have led to auroras visible in much of the United States. An unusually strong X9.0-level flare in October produced lights visible across as far south as Florida and in brightly lit cities like New York and Chicago. Last month, a strong geomagnetic storm produced a northern lights show that was visible in about half of the U.S. states, including many that don’t often see the aurora, including Pennsylvania, Illinois and Indiana. NASA scientists said the lights hit a 500-year peak in 2024, which it expects to continue throughout 2025 before auroral activity declines in the latter part of the decade.
Further Reading
Northern Lights Displays Hit A 500-Year Peak In 2024—Here’s Where You Could Catch Aurora Borealis In 2025 (Forbes)
