Epic dog sled ride under the northern lights in Alaska
The northern lights were seen during this night dog sled ride in Fairbanks, Alaska.
The northern lights could provide a dazzling pre-Christmas show over parts of 10 states overnight Dec. 22.
A minor geomagnetic storm caused by strong solar winds could allow the aurora borealis to be seen as far south as southern Minnesota, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center.
Forecasters say the event is caused by a coronal mass ejection, a large expulsion of plasma and magnetic field from the sun’s corona, that will pass by Earth after occurring on Dec. 20. The winds could continue through Dec. 24, giving Nochebuena a colorful astral backdrop.
The prediction center says the best time to view the northern lights will be between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. It adds that moving away from light pollution provides a better opportunity for seeing the lights.
Here’s where the northern lights might be seen on Dec. 22.
See northern lights forecast
States that may see the northern lights on Dec. 22
The Space Weather Center’s forecast indicates that the northern lights could be seen in parts of the following states:
- Alaska
- Idaho
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Montana
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Washington
- Wisconsin