Aurora fans might get lucky all across the western edge of the United States tonight.
The “view line” for Tuesday’s aurora forecast runs along the northeast border of Oregon, as it has occasionally since the beginning of the “solar maximum” of solar cycle 25, an approximately 11-year cycle of magnetic activity coming from the sun.
Solar maximum will last into 2026 and likely continue to give people in the Pacific Northwest and beyond chances to see auroras in the sky.
The Tuesday, May 27 aurora forecast.Courtesy of NOAA
The northern lights could also be visible Tuesday night in parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Alaska.
The weather could be an asset to Oregon aurora spotters. The sky is expected to be clear near the border on Tuesday night.
To view the lights, stay away from light pollution and look toward the northern horizon.
Follow the Space Weather Prediction Center’s 30-minute aurora forecast to see the latest predictions of where the lights will be visible.
– Lizzy Acker covers Oregon weather and writes the advice column Why Tho? Reach her at 503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com.