Topline
Geomagnetic storm conditions are expected on Saturday night, likely pulling the northern lights further south below the Canadian border, according to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast.
The northern lights may be seen in states like Maine, Minnesota and Michigan.
Key Facts
NOAA forecast a Kp index of four on a scale of nine for Saturday, indicating the aurora will have moved further from the North Pole and be “quite pleasing to look at” for those in the right areas.
Minor geomagnetic storm conditions are expected, the NOAA said, which could cause power grid fluctuations and have a minor impact on satellite operations.
There is also a chance for minor solar radiation storms over the weekend, potentially resulting in some radio blackouts after the sun emitted an X2.3 solar flare—classified by NASA as the most intense—earlier this week, according to NASA.
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Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible?
The northern lights might be visible at higher latitudes, including a section of the northern U.S., according to NOAA. There’s a high chance of seeing aurora borealis across northern Canada and Alaska, and a view line—marking a minimal opportunity to view the phenomenon—sweeps just below the Canadian border. Areas in northern Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin have a lower chance, while parts of northern Washington, Idaho, South Dakota, Michigan and Maine have a lower likelihood. (See viewing line below.)
Saturday night’s view line.
What’s The Best Way To See The Northern Lights?
The northern lights become visible between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time and are best seen at a high vantage point away from light pollution, according to NOAA.
What’s The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights?
Iceland’s tourism website recommends turning on your smartphone’s night mode with a lower shutter speed. If using a regular camera, Adobe suggests setting the focus to the farthest possible setting with a wide aperture, low shutter speed and high ISO value.
Key Background
Activity on the sun’s surface has reached a “solar maximum,” resulting in more sunspots and coronal mass ejections that cause a shift in space weather, according to NASA. This peak often causes aurora borealis to become more visible to more people, and will likely continue through 2025 and into early 2026. Other celestial events will appear in the sky later this year, including a quartet of meteor showers: The Leonids, Geminids, Ursids and Quadrantids.