Aurora Alert: Nine Northern States Could Spot the Northern Lights Tonight

Topline

According to the latest forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a handful of northern U.S. states may experience the northern lights tonight, with auroral activity expected to taper off later this week.

Key Facts

NOAA predicts Monday night’s aurora will register a Kp index of 4—scale 0 to 9—signifying heightened auroral activity that should be “quite pleasing to look at.”

The NOAA forecast indicates no geomagnetic storms will occur tonight or in the near future; storms typically amplify aurora visibility.

Tuesday night’s aurora is forecast to weaken to a Kp index of 3, limiting visibility to fewer states.

What States May See The Northern Lights On Monday?

Alaskans have the prime opportunity to witness the northern lights Monday night, with most of the interior rated at high risk for aurora visibility according to NOAA. Smaller chances extend to North Dakota and the northern portions of Washington, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

What’s The Best Way To See The Northern Lights?

NOAA advises aurora seekers to position themselves as close to the magnetic north pole as possible and to choose a high, dark‑sky location free of light pollution. Darkness enhances visibility, and the agency recommends viewing between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, roughly an hour or two around midnight, when activity peaks.

What’s The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights?

Travel photographers advise capturing the aurora on a sturdy tripod, using a wide‑angle lens and a lower shutter speed for optimal stability. For iPhone users, enable Night mode, disable flash, and shoot in RAW to maximize detail.

key background

From 2024 through 2025, the sun’s passage through the “maximum” phase of its solar cycle brought heightened solar activity, leading to frequent northern‑lights displays across the United States. This surge exceeded scientific expectations, with NASA noting a 500‑year peak in aurora occurrences during 2024. As the sun moves out of its maximum period, auroral activity is anticipated to wane in the latter half of the decade.

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