Geomagnetic Storms May Bring Aurora Borealis to 18 U.S. States on Labor Day

A coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun on August 30 is anticipated to reach Earth's atmosphere between September 1 and 2, potentially triggering moderate to strong geomagnetic storms, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This activity may make the aurora borealis visible in parts of the United States during this period.

NOAA's forecast indicates that the northern lights could be seen as far south as central Iowa and northern Illinois. The highest likelihood of visibility is in northern Canada and Alaska, with a lesser chance in parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

The best viewing times for the aurora borealis are between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. Optimal viewing conditions include a high vantage point away from light pollution. For photography, using a wide-angle lens with an aperture of four or less and setting the focus to the furthest possible setting is recommended. Smartphone users should enable night mode, disable the flash, and use a tripod to stabilize the image.

This increase in auroral activity is associated with the sun's current solar maximum, a peak in its 11-year cycle, which is expected to persist into early 2026. During this period, more frequent CMEs and solar flares are likely, leading to more common northern lights displays. These phenomena occur when electrons from solar events collide with oxygen and nitrogen in Earth's atmosphere, causing them to release energy in the form of light.