Northern Lights May Be Visible in 24 U.S. States Tonight as a Severe Solar Storm Hits Earth 🌍

NOAA Confirms a Rare S4 Solar Radiation Storm

The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center has confirmed that a severe (S4) solar radiation storm is currently underway, making it the strongest event of its kind in more than 20 years. The last time storms at this level were recorded was in October 2003.

Solar radiation storms are caused by powerful eruptions from the sun that send high-energy particles toward Earth. According to NOAA, the primary impacts are expected to affect satellites, space missions, and high-altitude flights, particularly along polar routes, while posing little to no direct risk for people on the ground. Events this strong often occur alongside major geomagnetic storms, which helps explain why the northern lights may be visible much farther south than usual tonight.

Why the Northern Lights Are Reaching So Far South

The coronal mass ejection, or CME, hitting Earth is a fast-moving cloud of charged particles from the sun, and it has significantly disturbed Earth’s magnetic field. When conditions line up, that energy is guided into the upper atmosphere, where it collides with gases like oxygen and nitrogen and creates the glowing curtains of light known as the northern lights.

Because this storm has reached severe levels, the usual zone where auroras appear near the North Pole has expanded far beyond normal, pushing visibility deep into North America.

Which U.S. States Could See the Northern Lights Tonight?

Based on NOAA’s most recent aurora forecast map, the northern lights may be visible fully or partially in the following states:

Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Michigan, New York, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Missouri, and Colorado.

Auroras are never guaranteed. Visibility depends on clear skies, low light pollution, and how Earth’s magnetic field interacts with the incoming solar particles. During strong storms, auroras can briefly appear even farther south than forecast.

What About Canada?

Canada is especially well positioned to see the northern lights tonight. During G4-level geomagnetic storms, the auroral oval typically expands across much of southern Canada, not just the Arctic.

If skies are clear, auroras may be visible across large parts of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada, with particularly strong viewing conditions in rural and northern areas away from city lights. The Prairie provinces and northern Ontario often see some of the brightest displays during storms of this intensity.

While this event is notable for pushing auroras deep into the United States, Canada remains one of the most reliable places in the world to see the northern lights tonight.

Best Time to Look Tonight

Auroral activity is already elevated, meaning displays could appear as soon as skies are dark. Forecast models suggest the strongest activity is most likely:

• Between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. local time

Auroras often appear in bursts, so checking the sky multiple times throughout the night improves your chances.

How to Improve Your Chances of Seeing the Northern Lights

• Find a dark location away from city lights

• Look toward the northern horizon

• Use your phone camera to spot faint color not obvious to the naked eye

• Give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust to the dark

• Dress warmly and be prepared to wait

Even if the aurora looks faint, cameras often capture green and red hues more clearly than the naked eye.

Why This Is Happening Now

The sun is currently near the peak of its 11-year solar cycle, a time when solar flares and geomagnetic storms happen more often. During this phase, Earth is more likely to experience nights like this one, when energy from the sun reaches our atmosphere and lights up the sky in unexpected places.

Scientists expect this heightened activity to continue through at least 2026, which means tonight’s display is not a one-off moment. While storms this strong are still uncommon, the coming years are expected to bring more chances to see the northern lights without traveling far from home. For many people, that means more evenings spent stepping outside, looking up, and being reminded that even ordinary nights can sometimes turn extraordinary.

FAQ: Northern Lights and Solar Storm Tonight

Where will the northern lights be visible tonight?


Auroras may be visible across up to 24 U.S. states and much of southern Canada, depending on cloud cover, darkness, and local conditions.

Will the northern lights be visible in Canada tonight?


Yes. Under severe geomagnetic storm conditions, auroras are often visible across large parts of southern Canada, including British Columbia, the Prairie provinces, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada.

What does an S4 solar radiation storm mean?


An S4 storm is considered severe and is very rare. It involves high-energy solar particles that mainly affect satellites and aviation, not people on the ground.

Is this storm dangerous for people?


No. NOAA says there is little to no direct risk for people at ground level.

What time is best to see the northern lights tonight?

The best chances are typically between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. local time, though auroras can appear earlier.

Could the northern lights appear farther south than forecast?


Yes. During strong storms, auroras can briefly reach farther south than predicted.