Topline
A handful of northern U.S. states are expected to see aurora borealis Tuesday night as an incoming minor geomagnetic storm could affect Earth’s magnetic field, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The night sky in Wisconsin glows with the Northern Lights.
Key Facts
NOAA is forecasting a Kp index of three on a scale of nine for Tuesday, meaning aurora borealis will become brighter with more auroral activity, making it “quite pleasing to look at” for those in the right area (the forecast for Wednesday is much the same).
A minor geomagnetic storm is likely on Thursday, according to NOAA’s three-day forecast, which would make the aurora even more visible later this week at high latitudes.
NASA on Sunday warned that more solar weather events are expected this week, including 31 minor solar flares—small explosions on the sun—and 27 coronal mass ejections, or bubbles of plasma that burst with those flares.
That solar activity could cause radio blackouts through Tuesday.
The agency also said it is in the middle of “Earth eclipse season,” a twice-yearly occurrence when the Earth blocks the Solar Dynamics Observatory’s view of the sun.
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Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible?
Most of Alaska will have a high likelihood of seeing the northern lights, while North Dakota and northern areas of Idaho, Montana, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin and Washington have a lower chance (see view line below).
What’s The Best Way To See The Northern Lights?
Aspiring viewers of the Northern Lights are encouraged to go as far north as possible, away from light pollution, and face the northern horizon. The best time to view the lights is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, and a high vantage point increases the likelihood of seeing the phenomena.
What’s The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights?
National Geographic recommends using a tripod for stability when photographing the Northern Lights to avoid blur caused by even the smallest of movements while a camera shutter is kept open for an extended period. A wide-angle, low-light-capable lens is best and Adobe says to use manual camera settings, selecting the lowest shutter speed possible and an ISO value of 2,000 or higher with a focus set on the furthest possible point, or “focus to infinity.” If using a smartphone, NOAA suggests turning on night mode to capture aurora borealis that may not be visible to the naked eye.
Key Background
Activity on the sun’s surface is measured over 11-year periods, in which a “solar maximum” and a “solar minimum” is reached. Solar activity reached a peak in October, leading to an increase in solar weather events, NASA said, and that peak is expected to continue into early 2026. Despite having already identified solar maximum, NASA warned that “the month that solar activity peaks on the Sun will not be identified for months or years,” meaning more impressive northern lights displays could be on the way. In May of 2024, the strongest geomagnetic storm to reach Earth in two decades created the most dramatic northern lights displays in the last 500 years, with aurora borealis visible as far south as Texas.
Further Reading
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