Topline
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration expects several states in the northern U.S. to have an opportunity to see the northern lights Tuesday night as geomagnetic storms will likely disrupt Earth’s magnetic field.
Some “minor” to “moderate” geomagnetic storms are expected through Thursday, forecasters said.
Key Facts
NOAA forecasts a Kp index of five on a scale of nine for Tuesday night, suggesting the northern lights could be brighter and more active while moving farther from the poles.
Some “minor” to “moderate” geomagnetic storms are projected through the night and into early Wednesday morning, following the “recurrent, negative polarity” of colder, less dense spots on the sun’s surface, NOAA said.
Other “minor” geomagnetic storms are expected Wednesday night and Thursday morning, with a maximum Kp index of five forecast, according to NOAA’s three-day forecast.
Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible?
The aurora borealis has the highest likelihood of being visible across Canada, and while Alaska is also forecast with a high chance of visibility, the state won’t be dark enough during peak viewing hours. A minimal opportunity marked by a “view line” is forecast through northern Iowa and other northern states, suggesting there’s a low, but potential, chance in parts of Wyoming, South Dakota, northern New York, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. A still relatively low, yet higher, chance is expected in areas of Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. (See map below.)
Tuesday’s view line.
What’s The Best Way To See The Northern Lights?
NOAA recommends traveling to a high vantage point away from light pollution. The agency said the northern lights are best seen between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, and if in the right area with optimal weather conditions, the aurora borealis could be visible even with lower geomagnetic activity, including a Kp index of three or four.
What’s The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights?
An expert writing for National Geographic recommended a regular camera with a wide-angle lens and an aperture or F-stop of four or lower, while other settings like ISO and shutter speed will likely need to be adjusted depending on the aurora’s strength. With a smartphone, NOAA said it’s best to use a tripod to stabilize the image long enough to capture the northern lights displays. The agency also recommended disabling flash and enabling night mode.
Key Background
The northern lights, while visible throughout the year, are seen more often between late September and March when nights are longer, experts said. Solar events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections produce northern lights displays, as electrons from these events collide with oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth’s atmosphere. An increase in solar activity was achieved in October 2024, NOAA and NASA said, as the sun reached the “solar maximum” period of its 11-year cycle. This peak is expected to persist into early 2026, the agencies noted.
Further Reading
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