Topline
A geomagnetic storm will likely disrupt Earth’s magnetic field after a recent burst of energy from the sun’s surface, pulling the northern lights to several states in the northern U.S. Wednesday night, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Forecasters issued a geomagnetic storm watch after a recent coronal mass ejection.
Key Facts
Auroral activity was forecast with a Kp index of five on a scale of nine for Wednesday night, suggesting the northern lights will move farther from the poles and be “quite pleasing to look at” for anyone in the right areas, NOAA said.
NOAA issued a geomagnetic storm watch Tuesday after a coronal mass ejection left the sun’s surface on April 13, which the agency said would likely lead to increased geomagnetic activity and aurora borealis becoming visible in a region from the Midwest to parts of Oregon.
A “strong” geomagnetic storm is expected Wednesday and there’s potential for a “minor” storm on Thursday, with calmer auroral activity forecast through Friday, according to NOAA’s three-day forecast.
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Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible?
Alaska and most of Canada will have the highest chance of viewing the northern lights, with a lower likelihood forecast for parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota and Upper Michigan. An even lower chance to see the phenomenon is expected in areas of South Dakota, Wisconsin, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. (See map below.)
Wednesday’s view line.
What’s The Best Way To See The Northern Lights?
NOAA recommends traveling to a north-facing, high vantage point that’s away from light pollution. The northern lights are best seen between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, the agency said.
What’s The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights?
If using a regular camera, photography experts told National Geographic it’s best to use a wide-angle lens, an aperture or F-stop of four or less and a focus set to the furthest possible setting to capture the northern lights. If using a smartphone, NOAA recommends turning on night mode and disabling flash.
Key Background
The sun achieved its “solar maximum” of its 11-year cycle in October, a peak that NASA and NOAA said would make northern lights displays more common. The peak was reached months after the strongest geomagnetic storm in two decades reached Earth, pulling the northern lights as far south as northern Florida and Texas in May. This peak will likely persist into early 2026, forecasters said. Aurora borealis is produced by solar events interacting with Earth’s atmosphere, as electrons from these events intersect with oxygen and nitrogen before becoming “excited” and releasing colorful displays.
Further Reading
Northern Lights Displays Hit A 500-Year Peak In 2024—Here’s Where You Could Catch Aurora Borealis In 2025 (Forbes)