The Northern Lights May Be Visible Across 14 States in the U.S. Tonight—Here’s Where to Look

A unique astronomical phenomenon will soon be visible in parts of the United States.

Outdoor enthusiasts have long planned epic trips to far-flung places like Norway or Iceland in search of the Northern Lights, but for the next few nights, millions of Americans may have the chance to see them without having to travel at all. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center, auroras are forecast from more than a dozen states north of the country on Oct. 28 and Oct. 29.

The latest model predicts that residents could be able to see the Northern Lights from Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Residents of Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine can also see the Northern Lights based on the “viewline,” or southernmost point from which you can potentially see the aurora on the northern horizon.

Although the forecast for October 28 is generally strong, the likelihood of residents in the US seeing the Northern Lights is still considered “low”. The odds drop even lower for October 29.

In Alaska, however, there was an “above average” chance of seeing the aurora on Tuesday night, followed by an “average” chance of seeing the lights on Wednesday and Thursday nights, according to Fairbanks, which tracks aurora activity for the area.

According to NOAA, in general, the best time to see the Northern Lights is between 10 a.m. and 2 a.m. local time. You’ll also need clear, cloudy skies and very little light pollution. The Northern Lights are technically active year-round, but you need darkened darkness and geologic activity to be able to see them (so check the cloud forecast before setting the alarm).

“If the geomagnetic field is active, the aurora will be brighter and more poleward,” NOAA noted, “as the level of geomagnetic activity increases, the hours of active aurora extend toward dusk and dawn.”

One of the best places to see the Northern Lights is from an airplane because the plane usually flies above the clouds, creating the best viewing conditions. Another popular way to look for the Northern Lights is because ships can bring passengers out to sea and away from light pollution.

For astro-enthusiasts not within the confines of the Northern Lights during this event, there may be opportunities right in your own backyard. The Northern Lights are seen primarily in northern states, but they are occasionally located further south. As recently as September, solar storms made the Northern Lights visible as far south as the Texas Panhandle. CHARE.

The world is currently in an 11-year peak of aurora activity known as the solar maximum. This has helped push the trend of “nocturnism”.