Get ready, stargazers, there is a severe geomagnetic storm happening, which means that tonight, some might have a very rare opportunity to witness the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis! This extremely rare event offers a once-in-a-blue-moon chance for millions of Americans to witness some celestial magic in the skies tonight!
Northern Lights May Be Visible Tonight
Of course, clear skies are crucial when it comes to being able to see the Aurora Borealis, no matter where you are in the United States tonight. If you are in an area with less light pollution, you are much better set up to be able to get a good view of these Northern Lights. While the most optimal time for viewing in certain states will be between 10:00 PM and 2:00 AM, your local time, it can happen at any time, so be sure to check out the sky periodically. Plus, things can change quickly, so keep an eye on the NOAA’s Aurora Forecast or similar websites or apps to stay up to date!
Alaska has the highest chance of seeing the northern lights tonight if the G3 storms are reached, as the NOAA has predicted. In doing so, it could be visible down to Illinois and Oregon, which is farther south than usual. Besides Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan have the highest likelihood of being able to see the Aurora Borealis tonight in the US.
Those in Washington, northern Idaho, the northern half of South Dakota, and Maine may also get to witness this beauty. While very low, there is still a chance those across Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska might get a peak too! It is also suggested that those in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York might get a lucky look!
Final Thoughts
Keep in mind that auroras can be fickle, meaning they might barely show up where you expect them to, and could even appear much further south than predicted. If you are going to be on the lookout for the Aurora Borealis tonight, you will need to find dark skies, be sure to look north, as they commonly appear on the northern horizon, get your camera settings adjusted ahead of time, and most importantly, be patient! With favorable conditions and a bit of luck, you might get the chance to witness one of nature’s most mesmerizing phenomena tonight!
