Tonight's Northern Lights: Where to See Auroras Across 15 U.S. States (NOAA Storm Watch)

NOAA forecasters warn that another round of northern lights could be visible across parts of the United States tonight. A coronal mass ejection (CME) is en route to Earth and may briefly push geomagnetic activity toward G3 on the five-point scale, increasing the chance of brighter and more widespread auroras.

What’s Happening

The aurora borealis appears when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth’s upper atmosphere, producing the familiar curtains and bands of color. Monday night’s activity registered around G1, and NOAA has issued a storm watch for midday Tuesday, Dec. 9, because the incoming CME could be stronger. Officials expect any technological impacts to be limited and minor, but elevated solar wind and particles often produce more vivid displays and push visibility farther south than usual.

Where You Might See It Tonight

According to NOAA’s predicted view line for Tuesday night, auroras could be visible across roughly 15 states. Look for possible sightings in:

• Washington
• Montana
• Northern Idaho
• Northeastern Wyoming
• North Dakota
• Most of South Dakota
• Minnesota
• Northern Wisconsin
• Northern Michigan
• Northern Iowa
• New York
• Vermont
• New Hampshire
• Maine
• Most of Alaska

Best Viewing Tips

• Timing: Watch between about 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, when auroral activity typically peaks.
• Location: Move away from city lights and find a dark site with an unobstructed view of the northern horizon.
• Be Patient: Auroras can appear suddenly and fade quickly — keep looking up.

Photography Tips

Smartphones: Use Night Mode on iPhones or Pro/Long Exposure modes on Android devices. Turn off the flash, keep the phone steady, and use a tripod or stable surface when possible.

DSLRs: Choose a wide-angle lens, set a high ISO appropriate for your camera, and use long exposures (several seconds) to capture movement and color. Experiment with exposure length and aperture to avoid overexposure of stars.

Safety and Impact: NOAA expects impacts to systems and infrastructure to be limited and minor, but any surge in geomagnetic activity can briefly affect radio communications, satellite operations, and power systems in extreme cases. For sky-watchers, the main effect will be improved chances of a spectacular show.

Keep an eye on NOAA updates and local space weather alerts for any changes to the forecast. Happy aurora hunting!