Northern lights may be viewable in these states this weekend. See list
Mary Walrath-HoldridgeMore Americans across several states may have a few chances to view nature's light show, the northern lights, this weekend.
After some light viewing on the night of May 14, the phenomenon will be visible beginning in the late-night hours of Friday, May 15, into the early morning on Saturday, May 16, and again later that night into Sunday, May 17, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center.
The auroras may be viewed even further south than the last round as the geomagnetic storms that enabled them may peak higher over the weekend.
Here's what to know about catching the northern lights.
When will the northern lights be viewable?
People in several U.S. states may get chances to see the aurora display on nights of Friday, May 15, through Sunday, May 17. The best times to view the lights are generally between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., according to NOAA, noting that this can vary significantly by location and as weather and visibility forecasts are updated.
This time around, geomagnetic activity is expected to peak at different times across the three days, according to the forecast. The 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. rule rings true on the night of Friday, May 15, into the morning of Saturday, May 16, though a G2 storm is also expected to flare around 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET Friday evening. Because it won't be totally dark yet during the window, however, the 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. timeframe is still probably the best bet for viewing.
Saturday, May 15, into Sunday, May 16, has a similar forecast. Though there will be a geomagnetic spike earlier in the evening, around 8 p.m. ET, the 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. window will again represent the best chance at viewing.
Best aurora viewing times this weekend:
- May 15, 11 p.m. – May 16, 2 a.m. EDT
- May 16, 11 p.m. – May 17, 2 a.m. EDT
- May 15, around 8 p.m. EDT onward
More up-to-date forecasts can be found on NOAA'S Aurora Dashboard.
Which states can see the northern lights?
How far and wide the auroras can be visible depends on whether the geomagnetic storm reaches a G1 to G2 (mild to moderate) or G3 (strong) level and the weather in your location.
NOAA's three-day forecast on the afternoon of Friday, May 15, predicted that mild to moderate activity would continue through the weekend.
Though Canada is getting the best, most intense viewing this time around, the states listed below will have at least a chance of catching a glimpse during a G1 storm, according to NOAA'S forecast map and the Farmers' Almanac:
- Alaska
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
- Michigan
- Maine
- Montana
- Idaho
- Washington
If the geomagnetic storms reach G2 level, the lights could be seen even further south, including in:
- New York
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Wisconsin
- Oregon
Current forecasts show it is unlikely storms will reach a G3 level. If they did, the auroras could be seen as far south as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Nebraska, Wyoming and California.
What are the northern lights, aka aurora borealis?
The northern lights are a luminous glow seen around the magnetic poles of the Northern and Southern hemispheres, according to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute. Known for creating ribbons of colorful light in the night sky, the aurora borealis are polar lights, or aurora polaris, that appear in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Southern Hemisphere has its own polar lights known as the southern lights, or aurora australis, which create a dazzling display of their own.
Put simply, auroras are a result of the sun interacting with the Earth’s atmosphere. A collision between electrically charged particles from the sun and gases in Earth’s atmosphere produces a series of minuscule flashes that appear like moving lights in the sky. The charged particles are pulled toward the North and South poles due to Earth’s magnetic field.
While that magnetic field usually protects the Earth from solar winds, the winds can occasionally strengthen enough to bypass the field, allowing particles and gases in the magnetosphere to interact and generate the colorful displays, according to the Geophysical Institute and the Canadian Space Agency.
Tips for viewing the northern lights
The top tip for getting the best view of the northern lights is finding a dark spot away from light pollution. Space.com recommends finding a location as far as possible from city lights and heading out there as soon as the sky gets dark. Then, it's a waiting game.
Find a north-facing view with a clear horizon and exercise patience, as the lights often come in waves, said Space.com. You can also download apps to track aurora forecasts based on your location, such as "My Aurora Forecast & Alerts".