These 18 States May See Aurora Borealis Tuesday Night

A recent coronal mass ejection will likely disrupt Earths magnetic field this week, which may make the northern lights visible to more states as early as Tuesday night, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

A recent coronal mass ejection is expected to disrupt Earths magnetic field this week, forecasters

Associated PressKey Facts

Tuesday nights auroral activity is forecast with a Kp index of six on a scale of nine, according to NOAA, suggesting the northern lights will be more active along the northern edge of the U.S. and be “quite bright” for those in the right areas.

Aurora borealis will likely be as visible through the week, with a maximum Kp index of six forecast for Wednesday—also pulling the northern lights to as many as 18 states—and four on Thursday, NOAAs three-day forecast suggests.

An increase in auroral activity is produced by a coronal mass ejection that left the suns surface on April 13, an event the NOAA said will likely result in minor to moderate geomagnetic storms on Wednesday.

Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible？

Alaska, northeastern Montana, northern North Dakota, northern Minnesota and northern Canada have the highest chance of seeing the phenomenon, while parts of Washington, northern Idaho, northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan have a lower likelihood. Other states have an even lower chance, including Oregon, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. (See map below.)

Tuesdays view line.

NOAAWhats The Best Way To See The Northern Lights？

NOAA recommends traveling to a north-facing, high vantage point away from light pollution. The northern lights are best seen between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, the agency said.

Whats The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights？

Photography experts told National Geographic that a wide-angle lens, an aperture or F-stop of four or less and a focus set to the furthest possible setting are recommended to capture the northern lights. If using a smartphone, NOAA suggests turning on night mode and disabling flash.

Key Background

More states have witnessed the northern lights since mid-2024, when a geomagnetic storm pulled the phenomenon as far south as northern Florida. That event preceded the sun achieving a “solar maximum” in October, a measurement indicating events on the sun‘s surface have ramped up in intensity and frequency, according to NOAA and NASA. Activity on the sun’s surface is measured over 11-year periods, during which a “solar maximum” and “solar minimum” are reached. Aurora borealis is the result of these events interacting with the Earths magnetic field, as electrons from solar flares and coronal mass ejections intersect with molecules of oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere.