Northern Lights May Be Visible Across Northern U.S. States This Week

Skywatchers across parts of the United States may catch a rare glimpse of the northern lights this week, thanks to recent solar activity that could light up the skies for two nights in a row.

A stunning celestial display could grace the night skies this week, as the aurora borealis—commonly known as the northern lights—may become visible in several northern U.S. states. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center, the light show is expected late Tuesday into early Wednesday, and again on Wednesday night.

This rare opportunity arises from recent solar eruptions that released charged particles toward Earth. As these particles interact with the planet’s magnetic field and atmospheric gases, they generate vibrant streaks of green, purple, and pink across the sky.

While Canadians and Alaskans are typically the lucky ones, residents in states like North Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, Michigan, and even parts of New York and Illinois may have a chance to witness the phenomenon—weather permitting.

The northern lights, scientifically known as the aurora borealis, occur when solar particles collide with Earth’s atmospheric gases near the magnetic poles. These collisions produce bursts of energy that appear as glowing, shifting ribbons of light. Their southern counterpart, the aurora australis, performs a similar display in the southern hemisphere.

Due to the unpredictable nature of geomagnetic storms, visibility forecasts can vary. For the most accurate updates, NOAA’s 30-minute Aurora Forecast provides real-time viewing predictions.

Long-exposure photography may help capture the lights even in areas where they aren’t visible to the naked eye. However, weather conditions will play a major role. AccuWeather reports that cloudy skies may hinder viewing in the Northeast and parts of the Great Lakes region on Tuesday, though conditions may improve by Wednesday.

The best chance for clear viewing is expected in the Midwest and Northern Plains on Tuesday night. The Pacific Northwest, while initially cloudy, may see clearer skies by Wednesday.

For optimal viewing, seek out dark, rural locations away from city lights during the darkest hours of the night.