Northern Lights Poised to Glow Across 15 US States Tonight
Tonight is shaping up to be one of those rare skywatching moments when nature decides to put on a show for millions of people. A fresh burst of solar activity is on the way, and because of that, the northern lights may be visible across as many as 15 U.S. states — stretching all the way from Alaska down to New York. It’s the kind of setup that aurora chasers dream about, and it’s happening thanks to a powerful combination of fast-moving solar wind and an incoming coronal mass ejection, or CME, that’s expected to hit Earth’s magnetic field.
According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, this blend of high-speed solar particles and the CME released during Monday’s X-class solar flare could push Earth into a moderate geomagnetic storm, known as a G2 event. And if both arrivals sync up perfectly, there’s even a chance we could briefly jump into G3 territory. When that happens, the aurora tends to dip farther south, giving people in mid-latitude states a rare opportunity to witness those shimmering green and purple lights dancing across the sky.
Also Read:Based on NOAA’s current aurora forecast map, the best chances of catching the show tonight fall across a wide northern band of the U.S. This includes Alaska, Washington, Montana, Wyoming, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Idaho, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and parts of New York. And of course, the usual rule applies: auroras are unpredictable — they can appear brighter and farther south than expected if conditions strengthen, or they can fade quickly if the solar material arrives weaker than forecast. In other words, it could be an unforgettable night… or it could be a quiet one. But that’s part of the fun.
Timing-wise, the window begins as soon as the sky gets dark. NOAA’s three-day outlook suggests that the best geomagnetic activity may occur between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. EST, with additional pulses possible later at night and into the early morning hours of December 4. If you're in one of the highlighted states, it’s worth stepping outside a few times throughout the evening, especially if the skies are clear.
To maximize your chances, try to find a dark, north-facing location away from city lights. Let your eyes adjust to the darkness for a good 20–30 minutes. And don’t underestimate your phone camera — it often picks up faint auroras before they become obvious to the naked eye. Staying warm and patient is key; aurora watching sometimes requires a bit of waiting, but when those colors finally burst across the horizon, it’s absolutely worth it.
Tonight’s conditions have all the ingredients for something special, so if the weather cooperates where you live, keep an eye on the northern sky. You just might catch one of nature’s most beautiful performances.
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