Northern Lights Forecast: These 10 States May See Aurora Borealis Tonight After Solar Flare

 

The sky is filled with color from the aurora borealis.

Nearly a dozen states in the northern U.S. may have another opportunity to see the northern lights on Saturday, after a recent solar flare briefly disrupted radio communications, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Key Facts

NOAA forecast a Kp index of four on a scale of nine, suggesting the aurora borealis will move further away from the poles and be “quite pleasing to look at” for stargazers in the right areas.

Saturday night’s northern lights display follows “strong” radio blackouts on Friday, an event that NOAA said briefly disrupted high-frequency radio communications and radio contact after an X1.1 solar flare—classified as the most intense—emitted from the sun’s surface on Thursday.

Auroral activity will likely be calmer through Monday, with a Kp index of just over one expected over the next two days, according to NOAA’s three-day forecast.

Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible?

Most of Canada and Alaska will have a high chance of seeing the northern lights, while parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota and Upper Michigan have a lower likelihood. Areas in South Dakota, Wisconsin and Maine have an even lower chance of viewing the phenomenon, while a view line marking a minimal opportunity reaches just north of Iowa. (See map below.)

Saturday's view line.

NOAA

What’s The Best Way To See The Northern Lights?

The aurora borealis is best seen between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time while at high vantage point away from light pollution, according to the NOAA.

What’s The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights?

National Geographic recommends using a wide-angle lens, an aperture or F-stop of four or less and setting the focus to the farthest possible setting. If using a smartphone, NOAA suggests disabling flash and turning on night mode.

Key Background

A 500-year peak for northern lights displays was reached in 2024, according to NASA, after activity on the sun’s surface achieved a “solar maximum.” Activity is measured over 11-year periods, during which a “solar maximum” and “solar minimum” are achieved, marking an increase or decrease in solar events like solar flares or coronal mass ejections. Electrons from these events interact with oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth’s atmosphere, causing them to become “excited” before emitting the colorful displays of aurora borealis. This peak in activity will likely persist into early 2026, NASA said.