Aurora Borealis Forecast: Where & When to See the Northern Lights Tonight

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The sky may just placed on a stunning display this night. A powerful geomagnetic hurricane is making it conceivable for the Northern Lights, most often reserved for Arctic skies, to be observed a lot farther south. Also referred to as the Aurora Borealis, this uncommon and colourful spectacle would possibly remove darkness from skies throughout a number of U.S. states.

“The G4 (Severe) geomagnetic storm watch remains in effect for tonight, June 1, as CME passage continues,” the Space Weather Prediction Center wrote. “There are indications that the coronal mass ejection (CME) passage is weakening, but the solar wind conditions remain elevated, therefore additional periods of G3-G4 (Strong-Severe) levels remain possible.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has reported a robust G3-level sun hurricane on its Space Weather Prediction Center web site. Since mid-2024, greater sun job has made auroras visual in strangely southern places — together with, from time to time, portions of northern Florida. According to NASA, that is because of the solar attaining its “solar maximum,” probably the most energetic segment in its 11-year cycle.

Wondering in the event you’re within the trail of this night’s aurora? Here’s what to learn about when and the place to catch it.

What Is a Geomagnetic Storm?

Geomagnetic storms are a “major disturbance of Earth’s magnetosphere that occurs when there is a very efficient exchange of energy from the solar wind into the space environment surrounding Earth,” consistent with the Space Weather Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). They shape from “variations in the solar wind” which will modify the “currents, plasmas and fields in Earth’s magnetosphere,” consistent with the website online.

When critical geomagnetic storms happen, the NOAA warns that they may disrupt electric energy networks. This may just, in flip, lead to energy outages.

Where to See the Northern Lights

As of June 1, 2025, a critical G4-level geomagnetic hurricane is inflicting the northern lighting fixtures to be visual throughout a lot of the United States, with doable sightings as some distance south as Alabama and Northern California.

The very best probabilities for viewing are in northern areas, in particular in Alaska, northeastern Montana, northern North Dakota, northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, higher Michigan, and Maine. Moderate visibility might also lengthen into states like Washington, northern Idaho, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, and Pennsylvania. Depending on native prerequisites, some southern spaces — together with portions of New Jersey — might also catch an extraordinary glimpse of the aurora.

For optimum viewing, discover a location clear of town lighting fixtures with a transparent, north-facing view. Keep an eye fixed on native climate prerequisites, as cloud duvet can impede visibility.

What Time to See the Northern Lights

For the most productive viewing revel in, it’s really helpful to discover a darkish, rural house clear of town lighting fixtures and glance towards the northern horizon between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. native time. Even if the aurora isn’t visual to the bare eye, smartphone cameras would possibly seize its glow.