BOULDER (Azat TV) – The aurora borealis is expected to be visible across a wider swath of the United States tonight and potentially into tomorrow, as a G1-level geomagnetic storm expands the auroral oval further south. Forecasters have issued a Kp index reading of 5 out of 9, indicating conditions that could allow residents in at least 15 states to witness the rare celestial display without traveling to higher latitudes.
This increased visibility is primarily driven by elevated solar wind speeds emanating from a coronal hole on the Sun’s surface. These fast-moving streams are currently interacting with slower solar wind plasma, creating a compression region that amplifies geomagnetic disturbances as they reach Earth, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colorado, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists.
Current Forecast: G1 Storm and Expanded Viewlines
The latest NOAA three-day space weather outlook indicates that while not classified as a severe storm, the G1-level activity significantly increases the probability of visible auroras. States bordering Canada and parts of the Upper Midwest are particularly within NOAA’s projected ‘view line,’ which marks the southernmost point where the aurora could be observed on the northern horizon.
Among the states that may fall within this view line are Minnesota, Wisconsin, northern Iowa, northern Michigan, northern New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Experts recommend that potential observers look north between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, when geomagnetic activity typically peaks. Optimal viewing conditions require clear skies and a location away from significant light pollution.
Understanding the Northern Lights Phenomenon
Geomagnetic storms, like the one currently underway, occur when solar wind and other bursts of energy from the sun interact with Earth’s magnetic field. Charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, causing them to emit light, creating the stunning curtains of green, red, and purple that ripple across the sky. The different colors observed are a result of these charged particles interacting with different gases in the atmosphere, primarily oxygen and nitrogen.
Professor Jim Wild, a space physicist at Lancaster University, notes that autumn and winter months generally offer the best viewing opportunities due to longer periods of darkness. However, clear weather conditions are paramount. A calm night with no moon and minimal clouds is considered ideal for witnessing the aurora’s full splendor.
Recent High-Visibility Aurora Events
The current G1 storm follows a more powerful G4 “severe” geomagnetic storm that occurred earlier in February, around the 10th and 11th. That event, which involved multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from an active sunspot cluster, painted skies as far south as Florida with breathtaking northern lights displays, according to CNN Meteorologists Briana Waxman and Chris Dolce. Such strong events, while visually stunning, also carry the potential for minor disruptions to power systems, GPS navigation, and radio communications.
Another significant display occurred on November 11, 2025, when a powerful geomagnetic storm resulted in the northern lights flashing across much of North America, reaching states like Texas, Colorado, and Florida. NOAA’s website explains that the aurora doesn’t need to be directly overhead to be seen, often visible from as much as 1,000 kilometers away when conditions are bright and favorable.
Tips for Optimal Aurora Viewing
For those hoping to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis tonight or tomorrow, several factors can enhance the experience. Finding a high, dark location away from city lights is crucial to minimize light pollution. Dark sky sites, often designated for stargazing, are ideal. If in an urban area, a spot facing north with few streetlights, like Portobello Beach near Edinburgh, Scotland, can still offer opportunities.
Once at a suitable location, observers should allow their eyes at least 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Smartphone cameras can often capture the aurora even when it appears faint to the naked eye. Photography experts recommend using Night Mode on iPhones and Pro Mode on Android devices, keeping the flash off, and stabilizing the device on a tripod or flat surface. However, it’s important to remember that the bright light from a phone screen can reduce dark-adapted vision, so it’s best to minimize screen time while viewing.
The increasing frequency and southern reach of aurora borealis displays in recent years underscore the heightened solar activity as the Sun approaches its solar maximum, making such celestial events more accessible to a broader audience than in previous cycles.