Northern Lights Expected in 14 U.S. States This Week
The northern lights may be visible in 14 U.S. states this week. Information is provided on potential viewing locations and times.
Key Points
- The northern lights are expected to be visible overnight on Tuesday and Wednesday due to solar activity.
- A coronal mass ejection (CME) that occurred on June 28 is moving toward Earth and is likely to cause G1 geomagnetic storm conditions.
- Residents in northern U.S. states, including Washington, Montana, Michigan, and New York, may be able to observe the aurora.
Forecast Details
The northern lights are anticipated to appear overnight on Tuesday and Wednesday, based on a recent forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center.
A coronal mass ejection (CME) that left the sun on June 28 is expected to cause minor geomagnetic storm conditions as it reaches Earth. According to NASA, a CME is an eruption of plasma and magnetic field lines from the sun that occurs over several hours.
Geomagnetic storms are classified from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). NOAA's three-day forecast indicates that the CME, expected to arrive early on Wednesday, July 2, will result in a G1 storm. The Kp index, which measures geomagnetic activity on a scale from 0 to 9, is predicted to reach 5. Higher Kp values increase the likelihood of auroras being visible at lower latitudes.
Potential Viewing Areas
Individuals in the following states may have an opportunity to see the auroras:
- Washington
- Idaho
- Montana
- Wyoming
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
- Michigan
- Iowa
- New York
- Vermont
- New Hampshire
- Maine
NOAA's aurora viewline forecast indicates that residents in the northernmost regions of these states will have the highest chance of observing the phenomenon.
Viewing Guidance
NOAA advises that the aurora borealis can often be observed just after sunset or just before sunrise. The northern lights are not visible during daylight hours.