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A number of northern U.S. states could get a glimpse of the northern lights Sunday evening through Monday morning, according to forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
An aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, is seen in the night sky on Thursday, October 1. … [+]
Key facts
The Northern Lights forecast for Sunday evening have a Kp rating of five on a scale of nine, meaning the lights can “be very pleasing to the eye” if you’re in the right place, according to NOAA.
There is also a chance of seeing the Northern Lights from Monday evening to Tuesday, with a predicted Kp index of four, although the line of sight should be slightly further north.
The Northern Lights become visible due to geomagnetic activity, which causes ions to collide with Earth’s atmospheric gases and creates auroras visible from Earth.
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Where will the Northern Lights be visible from?
Alaska and Canada have a high chance of seeing aurora on Sunday evening (see map below), and NOAA has predicted that the northern lights could be visible from Washington, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maine and most of Michigan, along with the northern parts of Idaho, Iowa, Wyoming, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire.
Northern lights forecast for Sunday evening.
What is the best way to see the Northern Lights?
The lights are best seen if you are away from city lights and in a dark, high place between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. NOAA suggests getting a good vantage point by heading somewhere on top of a hill with a clear, north-facing view.
How to take photos of the Northern Lights?
People who take photos of the Northern Lights with their smartphone cameras should use night mode and reduce their shutter speed to better capture the movement of the aurora.
Key context
Aurora activity has been high in recent weeks as activity on the sun’s surface has reached a “solar maximum,” according to NOAA and NASA, a period during which the sun can “unleash immense bursts of light.” , energy and solar radiation. .” High solar activity also leads to increased visibility of the aurora, which the United States has seen on and off since a May 2024 solar storm that allowed the northern lights to be seen in the southern United States. The sun will likely continue its 11-year peak. cycle until 2025 and early 2026, providing more opportunities to see the Northern Lights.
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