Northern Lights Forecasted to Illuminate Northern U.S. States

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecasted that the aurora borealis will be visible across several northern U.S. states on Monday and Tuesday nights. The Kp index, which measures geomagnetic activity, is expected to reach four on both nights, indicating that the northern lights "can be quite pleasing to look at" for observers in the appropriate regions.

The viewing line for Monday extends as far south as central South Dakota, encompassing areas such as Alaska, northern Washington, northern Idaho, most of Montana, all of North Dakota, the upper half of South Dakota, most of Minnesota, the Michigan Upper Peninsula, the northern half of the Michigan Lower Peninsula, and northern Maine. The forecast for Tuesday mirrors that of Monday, with similar viewing opportunities.

For optimal viewing, NOAA recommends seeking locations with minimal light pollution and high vantage points. The best time to observe the aurora borealis is typically between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time.

Photographers aiming to capture the northern lights should use wide-angle lenses with low apertures and stabilize their cameras with tripods. Smartphone users are advised to enable night mode and disable the flash to enhance image quality.

Auroral activity has been above average through much of 2024 and 2025, coinciding with the sun reaching the peak of its 11-year solar cycle. This increased solar activity has led to more frequent and intense northern lights displays. While summer has provided some opportunities for viewing, the longer and darker nights of winter are generally more favorable for observing the aurora borealis.