Where to See the Aurora This Weekend

Skywatchers could have the opportunity to spot the northern lights across North America tonight through August 2, according to the latest forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center.

The northern lights are most commonly seen in fall and winter, but you might be able to spot them now. Outside talked to Rob Steenburgh, a space scientist at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, to better understand what to expect from the aurora forecast this weekend

The northern lights, or aurora borealis, happen when charged solar particles enter Earth’s atmosphere. As they interact with oxygen and nitrogen, they release energy in the form of colorful light.

Current reports indicate that the lights could be visible across the northern tier of the United States and much of Canada.

U.S. States That Could See Northern Lights This Weekend

Based on the latest NOAA aurora forecast map, these are the U.S. states that appear fully or partially above the aurora view line:

1. Alaska
2. Washington
3. Idaho
4. Montana
5. North Dakota
6. Minnesota
7. Wisconsin
8. Michigan

What’s Driving This Northern Lights Forecast

The northern lights can most typically be seen between late August and early April between 60 and 75 degrees latitude. But on occasion, they appear outside of that time frame and region. Current forecasts are calling for a maximum Kp index of 5.67 on August 2, making it likely that parts of North America will see the northern lights.

Rob Steenburgh tells Outside, “The G2 forecast is in response to an eruption from the sun yesterday that’s heading to Earth, and another anticipated solar feature called a ‘coronal hole,’ which brings fast solar wind.  The eruption (coronal mass ejection or CME) and coronal hole are both indicators of future activity.” Typically, solar wind features drive the aurora forecast.

We passed the solar maximum in 2024—or the peak years of the 11-year solar cycle—which means geomagnetic storms will occur, but with less frequency according to Steenburgh. In general, G2 forecasts are relatively common, occurring about 600 times over the course of an 11-year cycle.

Tips for Watching the Northern Lights

Catching a glimpse of the northern lights takes a little bit of luck, and plenty of preparation. Stephanie Vermillion, Outside’s astrotourism columnist, recommends preparing for aurora views by monitoring the current forecast, traveling to the darkest skies possible, and spending three to four hours watching the skies. In the U.S., the lights will be most visible across the horizon instead of overhead. Higher latitudes typically experience better views of the aurora due to their proximity to the North Pole.

Steenburgh said you should look for a cloud-free sky with minimal light pollution. Ideally, low moon illumination would help to maximize the viewing experience, but the moon is almost full at the moment.

“These are many of the variables that can affect your ability to spot the aurora,” he explained. “It’s important to know that geomagnetic storm forecasts are very coarse, meaning the timing and intensity can vary greatly, i.e. it can arrive earlier or later and be of greater or lesser strength.”

How to Capture the Lights on Your Phone

At times, the aurora appear invisible to the human eye, but phones and cameras can still pick up the phenomenon. In fact, northern lights often look better on your phone camera. Skywatchers who want to snap the perfect photo on their phone can prepare for the northern lights by setting up a tripod, choosing a dark-sky viewing location, and familiarizing themselves with their phone’s camera settings. Most photographers find that the default 1x “photo” setting delivers the best night sky photos, but make sure that night mode is engaged before snapping your photos.

As the days grow darker, there could be more opportunities to view the northern lights this fall, according to Steenburgh.

Those who are hoping to catch a glimpse of the northern lights can monitor NOAA’s 30-minute aurora forecast, which offers real-time updates on auroral activity throughout the night. My Aurora Forecast & Alerts, Aurora Alerts, and Space Weather Live can also help you to stay current with the latest aurora forecast.