The Northern Lights Will Be Visible in These States Tonight, But Only During This Time
Bucket listers, tonight may be your chance to cross a top item off your list. No, we're not talking about seeing a favorite celebrity or traveling to a dream country. We're talking about something better, something free that can potentially be done from the comfort of your home.
For many states, there's a high probability of viewing the Northern Lights tonight.
Aurora Borealis, as it's more formally known, is a phenomenon that occurs when , colliding with molecules in the planet's upper atmosphere. The result is waves of neon light dancing through the sky.
Most of the time, this phenomenon is only visible in or around the Arctic Circle in countries such as Canada, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Russia. However, every so often, a cosmic event will occur that drops the visibility line of the Northern Lights lower, making them viewable from several U.S. states.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a severe geomagnetic storm is set to impact Earth from June 1-3, 2025, reaching its peak on June 2. While a geomagnetic storm may seem scary, it's quite harmless to humans.
A geomagnetic storm occurs when there's a swift change in solar wind. This typically happens a few times a year, with more severe storms occurring every couple of years, like the one tonight.
Because of the shift in wind, the visibility line of the Aurora Borealis moves south, expanding its potential for viewing.
While viewing the Northern Lights may seem self-explanatory, just look at the sky; there are a few more factors at play that can affect if and how well you may be able to spot the cosmic phenomenon.
First is location, there are 16 states that are said to have visibility for tonight's event. Second is the weather. Aurora Borealis is best viewed via clear night skies. Third is light. Like stargazing, the Northern Lights are most visible in a dark setting, away from city light pollution. Last is time. The best time to watch the dance of the sky is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., which means you won't have to stay up too late.
Visibility will depend on a number of factors, but of viewing the Aurora Borealis during tonight's storm.
Alaska
Idaho
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Montana
New Hampshire
New York
North Dakota
Oregon
South Dakota
Vermont
Washington
Wisconsin
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