Parts of the United States could be in for a magical Christmas sight: The Northern Lights.
Alaska and the northern Midwest states have the best chance of getting a glimpse of the dazzling sights, but the northern most reaches of New England may see it too, according to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. Based on maps they released, Maine has the best chance of seeing it tonight.
It’s possible more New England states will get a view of the Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, tomorrow night when the view line dips down into Vermont and New Hampshire.
Map of where Northern Lights may be visible on Christmas 2024
Northern Lights may be visible in Maine and some northern Midwest states on Christmas Day, according to the NOAA forecast.
Map: Where Northern Lights may be visible tomorrow
Christmas won’t be the only shot at seeing the Northern Lights from this storm. NOAA is predicting a broader swath will be able to see the Northern Lights tomorrow night, including parts of New Hampshire and Vermont.
NOAA says a swath of the country has a chance of seeing the Northern Lights on Dec. 26.
How to see the northern lights
The best time to see an aurora is when it’s dark out, usually between an hour or two of midnight, according to NOAA. Officials recommend getting away from city lights and sticking to lower latitudes.
“There may be aurora in the evening and morning but it is usually not as active and therefore, not as visually appealing,” NOAA said.
Where to check the northern lights forecast
To track the latest northern lights forecast, check out these websites:
Are the northern lights dangerous?
The solar storms that cause the northern lights can affect technology by inducing extra currents in the ground that can degrade power grid operations, according to NOAA.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Northern lights could appear in Maine tonight from Christmas storm
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