Aurora Borealis Alert: Visible Tonight in These States 🌌

The Northern Lights are putting on a show tonight, and for once, you don’t need a passport or parka to see it. A rare solar storm is making it possible for folks across parts of the U.S. to catch the Aurora Borealis right from their backyard.

If you’ve always wanted to see them without flying to Iceland or Alaska, this might be your chance.

Where to See the Northern Lights?

The lights are expected to be visible in:

• Washington

• Idaho

• Montana

• North Dakota

• Minnesota

• Wisconsin

• Michigan

• Alaska

But even if you’re not in those states, you’re not out of luck. If you’re in one of these places, keep your eyes on the sky, there’s still a chance you’ll catch them:

• Wyoming

• South Dakota

• Iowa

• New York

• Vermont

• New Hampshire

• Maine

When & How to See Them?

The best time to catch the lights is late evening through early morning. You’ll want to head somewhere dark, far from city lights, and face north. Bring a coat, maybe a Stanley cup, and definitely a friend who will geek out about it with you.

A phone camera might even pick up color your eyes can’t see, it’s that faint but still worth trying.

Why Are the Northern Lights Appearing Now?

A strong geomagnetic storm is hitting Earth’s magnetic field, which triggers this rare light show. It’s all space weather, and while most of us don’t think about it often, tonight it’s giving us a front-row seat.

Track the Northern Lights with These Apps

To stay up-to-date with solar activity, use these handy apps that track auroral activity in real time:

• AuroraAlerts

• AuroraReach

• SpaceWeatherLive

• Hello Aurora

• My Aurora Forecast

These apps will help you track the best times for viewing the aurora based on the latest solar and geomagnetic data.