10 States Could See Aurora Borealis Monday Night

Topline

Incoming geomagnetic storms will likely disrupt the Earth’s magnetic field this week, pulling the northern lights to several states along the Canadian border starting Monday night, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

A spot on the sun’s surface will likely disrupt Earth’s magnetic field, pulling the phenomenon to … More more states, forecasters said.

Associated Press

Key Facts

Auroral activity is forecast with a Kp index of four on a scale of nine for Monday night, suggesting the northern lights will move farther from the poles and be “quite pleasing to look at” for those in the right areas.

There will be “periods” of minor to moderate geomagnetic storms through Wednesday as the effects of a coronal hole high-speed stream, a cooler, less dense spot on the sun’s surface, disrupts Earth’s magnetic field, according to NOAA’s three-day forecast.

NOAA expects auroral activity to increase Tuesday with a maximum Kp index of six, before it calms down slightly on Thursday with an expected Kp index of nearly five.

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Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible?

Most of Alaska and northern Canada will have the best chance to see the northern lights, while a minimum opportunity marked by a “view line” sweeps just north of Iowa. Areas in northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, northern Montana, North Dakota and northern Minnesota have a lesser chance, while an even lower likelihood is forecast across South Dakota, Wisconsin, Upper Michigan and Maine. (See map below.)

Monday night’s view line.

NOAA

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

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

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

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

Key Background

The colorful displays of the aurora borealis are produced by the intersection of solar events and the molecules of oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth’s atmosphere. Electrons from these events become “excited” when interacting with these gases, allowing them to release a spectrum of colors into the night sky. A peak in northern lights displays was reached in October 2024 after activity on the sun’s surface achieved a “solar maximum,” scientists from NASA and NOAA said. This peak followed weeks of increased auroral activity, including what NASA said was the strongest geomagnetic storm to impact Earth in two decades, pulling the northern lights to northern Florida and Texas.