The Northern Lights have been visible across parts of the U.S. this week and are expected again Thursday night. NOAA says recent geomagnetic storms were "eight times stronger than what’s normal," broadening the area where the aurora can appear. Forecast maps show strong displays over Alaska and fainter activity across several northern states; sightings have even reached as far south as Florida and Alabama. Best viewing is on dark, clear nights—typically between about 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.—and photos improve faint displays.
Where and How to See the Northern Lights Thursday Night — Forecast, Viewing Tips, and Photo Advice
The Northern Lights have been visible across parts of the U.S. this week and are expected again Thursday night. NOAA says recent geomagnetic storms were "eight times stronger than what’s normal," broadening the area where the aurora can appear. Forecast maps show strong displays over Alaska and fainter activity across several northern states; sightings have even reached as far south as Florida and Alabama. Best viewing is on dark, clear nights—typically between about 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.—and photos improve faint displays.
02:09 AM, 11/14/2025Science
Where and How to See the Northern Lights on Thursday Night
Photo: The northern lights glow beyond Perry Lake near Perry, Kan., on Wednesday, Nov. 12. Credit: Charlie Riedel—AP
The Northern Lights (aurora borealis) have been painting U.S. skies in vivid greens and pinks this week and are expected to return in parts of the country on Thursday night. Intense geomagnetic activity earlier in the week pushed auroral displays farther south than usual, producing sightings as far as Florida and Alabama.
Why the lights appear
The aurora occurs when charged particles from the Sun—often released during solar flares—interact with gases in Earth's magnetosphere, producing bursts of colored light. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center said earlier this week that geomagnetic storms were "eight times stronger than what’s normal," expanding where the aurora could be seen.
Where to look on Thursday
NOAA forecast maps indicate strong visibility over much of Alaska and fainter displays across several northern U.S. states, including Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. However, when conditions are favorable the aurora can be visible from hundreds of miles away and may be seen farther south than the forecast line.
Best viewing conditions
- Time: Most auroral activity tends to peak between about 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., though it can occur earlier or later.
- Dark skies: The lights are not visible during daytime and show up best against a dark, moonless sky.
- Avoid light pollution: Move away from city lights; even distant glow can wash out colors.
- Watch the weather: Clouds will block the display; clear skies are essential.
- Moon phase: A bright moon can reduce contrast and make faint displays harder to see.
How to photograph the aurora
If the lights are faint, photography often captures them more clearly than the naked eye. Try these tips:
- Use a wide-angle lens and a sturdy tripod to avoid camera shake.
- Turn off the flash and autofocus; focus manually at infinity when possible.
- Try long exposures (roughly 5–30 seconds), a wide aperture (e.g., f/2.8–f/4) and ISO settings between about 800–3200 depending on your camera and conditions.
- Experiment with exposure length and ISO to balance brightness and noise.
Enjoy the show—if skies are clear and geomagnetic activity remains elevated, Thursday night could bring another memorable auroral display.
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