Northern Lights Visibility in the US
Introduction to the Northern Lights
(NEXSTAR) — Several states, primarily along the northern border, may have the chance to see the northern lights on Thursday. A coronal mass ejection, or CME, was hurled out by the sun on Tuesday, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center said. The CME, paired with a coronal hole high speed stream, or CH HSS, is “expected to cause geomagnetic storming” Thursday into Friday, according to an alert from the Space Weather Prediction Center.
CMEs are explosions of plasma and magnetic material from the sun, while a CH HSS refers to escaping solar winds from areas on the sun that are cooler and less dense. Both are capable of sparking auroras that we can see on Earth.
What are CMEs and CH HSS?
CMEs and CH HSS are two types of solar events that can cause geomagnetic storms on Earth. CMEs are large explosions of plasma and magnetic material from the sun, while CH HSS refers to escaping solar winds from areas on the sun that are cooler and less dense. Both of these events can cause the northern lights to be visible in the US.
Geomagnetic Storming and the Northern Lights
Current forecasting shows the strongest geomagnetic storming could happen Thursday, prompting a G2-level watch. Conditions are expected to weaken Friday, giving way to a G1-level watch. At these lower levels — geomagnetic storms are classified based on their strength along a five-point scale — the associated auroral activity may only be visible to those in the upper regions of the U.S.
The map below shows where the northern lights may be visible on Thursday. With the exception of Alaska, the likelihood of seeing the aurora in the Lower 48 is slim and limited to parts or all of Illinois, Iowa, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
The aurora forecast for Thursday, August 7, 2025. (NOAA SWPC)
Those along or near the red view line on the map may only catch a glimpse of the northern lights on the northern horizon.
Northern Lights Forecast for Friday
The forecasting is relatively similar for Friday. Parts or all of several states may again have the chance to see the northern lights: Iowa, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Aurora forecast for Friday, August 8, 2025, as of Thursday, August 7. (NOAA SWPC)
The strength of the geomagnetic activity and the timing of it could impact the aurora forecast. According to the SWPC, conditions are expected to strengthen between 7 p.m. ET Thursday and about 1 a.m. ET Friday. They may weaken through the day on Friday before ramping up again around 7 p.m. ET.
Viewing the Northern Lights
When the northern lights forecast is weaker, it’s often recommended to get as far away from outdoor lights as possible and look northward. Even then, you may only be able to see the northern lights by taking a picture with your phone. This is because the northern lights can be quite faint and may not be visible to the naked eye.
Conclusion
In conclusion, several states in the US may have the chance to see the northern lights on Thursday and Friday due to geomagnetic storming caused by a CME and CH HSS. The northern lights may be visible in parts or all of Illinois, Iowa, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. It’s recommended to get as far away from outdoor lights as possible and look northward to increase the chances of seeing the northern lights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the northern lights?
A: The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are a natural phenomenon that occurs when charged particles from the sun interact with the Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere.
Q: What causes the northern lights to be visible in the US?
A: The northern lights can be visible in the US due to geomagnetic storming caused by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and coronal hole high speed streams (CH HSS) from the sun.
Q: Where can I see the northern lights in the US?
A: The northern lights may be visible in parts or all of Illinois, Iowa, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Q: When is the best time to see the northern lights?
A: The best time to see the northern lights is typically between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m. ET, when the geomagnetic activity is strongest.
Q: How can I increase my chances of seeing the northern lights?
A: To increase your chances of seeing the northern lights, it’s recommended to get as far away from outdoor lights as possible and look northward. You may also be able to see the northern lights by taking a picture with your phone.
