Topline
More than one dozen states in the northern U.S. might have an opportunity to view the northern lights Wednesday night, including as far south as Iowa, days after strong geomagnetic and solar storms surprised forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The aurora borealis lights up the sky on Jan. 20, 2026 in China.
VCG via Getty Images
Key Facts
NOAA forecast a Kp index of four on a scale of nine for Wednesday night, suggesting the northern lights could be visible south of the Canadian border.
No minor or greater geomagnetic storms or significant solar winds are expected, though scientists were surprised by severe geomagnetic and solar radiation storms earlier this week that pushed the lights’ visibility into the deep south.
Wednesday’s forecast is calmer than what was seen earlier in the week but the lights could still be seen in as many as 15 states overnight.
Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible?
The northern lights are forecast across Canada and Alaska, where the phenomenon may be visible once the sun sets in the state. Other states have a lower chance of seeing the Northern Lights, including parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, Wisconsin, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. (See map below.)
The northern lights “viewline” for Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026.
NOAA
What’s The Best Way To See The Northern Lights?
Aurora borealis is best seen in the winter months as nights grow longer, from a north-facing high vantage point away from light pollution to view the lights. NOAA says the lights are best seen between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time.
What’s The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights?
Those using an iPhone should use night mode and those with an Android should use the device’s Pro mode. All smartphone photographers should disable flash and shoot in RAW image format. Those using a separate camera could set the aperture or F-stop to four or less and use a focus set to the furthest possible setting. All photographers should use a tripod for stabilizing the image.