Map reveals top spots to view northern lights during geomagnetic storm
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) reported a strong G3 geomagnetic storm on Sunday, with the potential for additional isolated G3 conditions through the end of the day. This event has increased the likelihood of viewing the northern lights across parts of the country tonight.
As of Sunday afternoon, SWPC’s alerts indicated ongoing space weather activity. The agency encouraged the public to check its Aurora Dashboard for real-time “viewline” maps that estimate how far south the aurora may be visible on the northern horizon.
Understanding Geomagnetic Storms
Geomagnetic storms can push auroral displays farther south than usual, creating viewing opportunities well beyond the Arctic and northern Canada. These events can extend as far south as U.S. border states and, during stronger storms, parts of the Upper Midwest and Northeast.
Visibility of the aurora depends on several factors, including the geomagnetic Kp index, cloud cover, and local light pollution. Because of this, SWPC advises checking its near-real-time aurora forecasts before heading out to view the phenomenon.
What Is a Geomagnetic Storm?
A geomagnetic storm is a major disturbance of Earth’s magnetosphere caused by energy from solar wind and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These disturbances couple efficiently into the space environment around Earth, leading to fluctuations measured on NOAA’s G-scale, which ranges from G1 to G5.
G3 (Strong) conditions often result in auroras visible much farther south than normal. However, exact visibility varies depending on real-time solar wind parameters and local weather conditions.
Where Will the Northern Lights Be Visible?
NOAA’s Aurora Dashboard provides a “Tonight’s Aurora Viewline Forecast,” which shows the southernmost locations where the aurora may be visible on the northern horizon if skies are dark and clear.
As of late Sunday, SWPC noted that G1–G2 storming continued, with another isolated G3 period possible through the end of the day. This typically keeps the best U.S. viewing prospects in northern-tier states near the Canadian border and Alaska.
Other areas where the aurora may be seen include the northern tier of the U.S., such as northern Michigan and Maine, as well as parts of New York and Washington state.
Earlier in the week, SWPC forecasts suggested potential visibility across Alaska and parts of northern border states, including regions of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine. There was also conditional southward expansion during stronger intervals.
For the most accurate, location-specific guidance tonight, SWPC recommends consulting the real-time 30-minute aurora forecast maps and the viewline on its dashboard. It also suggests finding a dark site with a clear northern horizon.
SWPC also mentioned current radio blackout conditions at the R1 (Minor) level, which can accompany heightened solar activity. However, these impacts mainly affect high-frequency radio on the sunlit side and do not directly hinder nighttime aurora viewing.
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