Topline
Some states in the northern U.S. could have a chance to see the northern lights on Monday, with quieter auroral activity expected through the week after recent geomagnetic storms, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Weaker auroral activity is expected through the next two days, forecasters said.
Key Facts
Auroral activity is forecast with a Kp index of three on a scale of nine for Monday night, suggesting the northern lights will be more visible farther from the poles and be “quite pleasing to look at” in some areas.
Earlier Monday, NOAA forecast stronger auroral activity while citing the lingering effects of a recent geomagnetic storm, though the agency has since lowered its outlook for the week, with a maximum Kp index of nearly four expected early Tuesday.
Weaker auroral activity is likely through Wednesday, according to NOAA’s three-day forecast, with a maximum Kp index of three and two expected for Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
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Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible?
Aurora borealis will have the highest chance of being seen throughout Canada and Alaska, with a view line marking a minimal opportunity through southern Minnesota. Parts of northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan have a lower likelihood of viewing the phenomenon. (See map below.)
Monday night’s view line.
What’s The Best Way To See The Northern Lights?
The aurora borealis is best seen when at a north-facing, high vantage point away from light pollution between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, NOAA said.
What’s The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights?
If using a regular camera, National Geographic reported 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. With a smartphone, NOAA recommends turning on night mode, disabling flash and enabling a slower shutter speed, if possible.
Key Background
The northern lights will likely continue to be more visible to more Americans through early 2026, after a peak in activity on the sun’s surface was achieved in October 2024, scientists from NOAA and NASA said. That peak followed what NASA said was the strongest geomagnetic storm to impact Earth in two decades in May 2024, as the aurora borealis was visible as far south as Texas and Florida. A “solar maximum” indicates an uptick in solar events like coronal mass ejections and solar flares, which disrupt Earth’s magnetic field and produce northern lights displays. This peak coincides with a “solar minimum,” both of which occur over the sun’s 11-year cycle.
Further Reading
Northern Lights Displays Hit A 500-Year Peak In 2024—Here’s Where You Could Catch Aurora Borealis In 2025 (Forbes)
Read the full article here