Northern Lights Tonight: Up to 20 States Could See the Aurora Borealis on April 17

The Northern Lights This Week

This surge is being fueled by a powerful interaction between fast and slow solar wind streams. A co-rotating interaction region forms when a faster stream of solar wind catches up to slower-moving particles ahead of it, creating a turbulent boundary in space filled with compressed plasma, shockwaves, and intensified magnetic fields. It sounds complicated, but what it means for you is simple: the sky might put on a show tonight.

NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center has confirmed G2 geomagnetic storm watches for April 17 and 18, though it's worth noting that the agency's Aurora Timeline Viewer is currently offline due to technical issues. For real-time tracking, the NOAA 30-minute forecast is your best alternative right now.

Source: Screenshot from NOAA website, April 17

Where You Can See the Northern Lights

The best chances to see the northern lights tonight:

• Alaska

• Northern Washington, Idaho, and Montana

• North Dakota and South Dakota

• Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan

• Maine

If the storm strengthens, visibility could extend farther south:

• Oregon and Wyoming

• Nebraska and Iowa

• Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio

• New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire

Even if you’re not on this list, it’s still worth stepping outside and checking the northern horizon around midnight. G2 storms have a habit of overdelivering.

How to See the Northern Lights Tonight

Knowing the forecast is only part of it. Here is the practical checklist:

• Check conditions within an hour of going out. Space weather can shift significantly in a short window. Use NOAA's 30-minute aurora forecast at swpc.noaa.gov or apps like My Aurora Forecast, SpaceWeatherLive, or Aurora Now for live data.

• Get away from light pollution. Use a light pollution map like lightpollutionmap.info to find dark sky locations near you. Even a short drive makes a real difference.

• Face north and be patient. The aurora often starts as a faint greenish glow low on the horizon before building. Give your eyes at least 20 minutes to adjust to the dark.

• Go out between 10pm and 2am local time. NOAA suggests traveling to a north-facing, high vantage point during these hours for the best visibility.

How to Photograph the Aurora on Your Phone

You don’t need a fancy camera to capture the northern lights. Most modern smartphones handle low-light surprisingly well if you give them the right conditions. If your phone has Night Mode or Pro Mode, turn it on and use the main camera lens rather than the ultra-wide for sharper photos. The biggest trick is keeping the phone completely still. A small tripod works great, but even resting your phone on a rock, fence, or car roof can work.

Expect the camera to take longer exposures of about five to ten seconds. If your phone allows it, shooting in RAW format can give you more flexibility if you edit the photo later. One thing that surprises people: your camera often sees more color than your eyes do. What looks like a faint grayish glow in the sky might show up as green, purple, or even red in a photo. So it’s always worth taking a few shots, even if the display looks subtle at first.

Best Places to See the Northern Lights in the US

If this week's display gives you the bug and you want to plan a proper aurora trip, these US destinations consistently offer the best conditions:

• Fairbanks, Alaska: The gold standard for US aurora viewing, with a dedicated aurora season and specialist tour operators

• Upper Peninsula of Michigan: Dark skies, manageable logistics, and surprisingly frequent displays during active solar periods

• Northern Minnesota, Boundary Waters area: Exceptional darkness and lake reflections that double the visual impact

• Grand Teton and Yellowstone, Wyoming: High elevation, dark skies, and jaw-dropping scenery as a backdrop

• Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania: One of the darkest skies on the East Coast and a realistic option during strong storm events

If tonight is a washout where you are, NOAA forecasts suggest heightened geomagnetic activity continues for the next two days, so keep an eye on conditions into early Saturday morning. The northern lights don't come with rain checks. But tonight at least, the odds are in your favor.

Frequently Asked Questions: Northern Lights April 17, 2026

Will the northern lights be visible tonight, April 17?

There’s a real chance. NOAA has issued a G2 geomagnetic storm watch for the night of April 17 into April 18, which could push the aurora into view across as many as 20 U.S. states.

What states have the best chance of seeing it?

The strongest viewing odds are in Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine. If activity ramps up, parts of Oregon, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire could also catch a faint glow.

What time should I go outside?

The best window is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, with peak activity usually closer to midnight.

What is a G2 geomagnetic storm?

Storms are rated from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). A G2 is moderate, strong enough to push the aurora well into the northern U.S. under clear skies, but not typically a coast-to-coast event.

How can I check if it’s visible where I am?

NOAA’s 30-minute aurora forecast is your best real-time tool right now. The Aurora Timeline Viewer is currently offline due to technical issues.

Why does my phone camera see it better than my eyes?

Camera sensors pick up aurora light more easily than the human eye. If you’re unsure, point your phone north and check your screen.

Do I need special equipment?

No, you can see it with the naked eye. For photos, a tripod and a phone with night mode or a camera with manual settings will make a big difference.