Best viewpoints near Portland to catch the Northern Lights
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Thanks to a powerful geomagnetic storm, the Pacific Northwest and much of the United States, has a high chance to see Northern Lights late Sunday night and very early Monday morning.
According to the Space Weather Prediction Center at NOAA, the 'view line' for the auroras will likely cover almost half of Oregon and all of Washington, extending as far south as Iowa and Nebraska.
To increase your chance of seeing the auroras, experts say to stay clear of city lights and look towards the northern horizon, roughly between 10 p.m. Sunday and 2 a.m. Monday.
Mt. St. Helens Visitor Center reopens with new exhibits after major renovation
But for those aurora-chasers looking for an even more spectacular show, here are some places near Portland worth checking out:
Jonsrud Viewpoint:
15652 Bluff Rd, Sandy, Ore.
Pro: Sweeping, panoramic views to the north and east
Con: Could attract crowds
Lookout Ridge Park:
2900 W 5th St, Washougal, Wash.
Pros: More secluded, lack of light
Con: Northern view slightly restricted
Portland Women's Forum Viewpoint:
39210 Historic Columbia River Hwy, Corbett, Ore.
Pros: More secluded, lack of light pollution
Con: Vista House overflow could make it crowded
Council Crest Park:
1120 SW Council Crest Dr, Portland, Ore.
Pro: If it is a bright show, the view over Downtown Portland could be spectacular
Cons: City light pollution, closes at midnight
Panorama Point:
Hood River, Ore.
Pro: Amazing views to the North
Cons: Light pollution, potential to be crowded
Stub Stewart State Park:
Buxton, Ore.
Pro: Great hilltop spot with potential for great views to the north and directly up in to the sky
Cons: Could also attract crowds
Regardless of what location you choose, experts say it's always a good idea to get there early to not only find a good viewing place, but to avoid potential traffic jams along the way.
If you happen to snap any photos or videos of Sunday night's northern lights, you can send them to news@koin.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Northern lights might be visible in several states tonight: See map
States in the U.S. may be able to see the northern lights for a second night in a row on Monday, June 2, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, may be visible in northern states, according to the NOAA. Most of Canada will also have a chance to see the lights. While the likelihood of seeing the northern lights will be low for most of the U.S. on Monday, Alaska, as well as parts of states near the Canadian border, will have a higher chance of seeing the lights. The spectacular light show may also be visible on Tuesday, but the likelihood of seeing the northern lights in the U.S., outside of Alaska, will be lower. Here's what to know. The northern lights could be visible at night on Monday, June 2, and Tuesday, June 3. States as far south as Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska may have a chance to see the lights, according to NOAA. But the following states have the highest likelihood of seeing the light show in the sky on Monday: Alaska Montana North Dakota Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan The states listed above could also see the northern lights on Tuesday, but with the exception of Alaska, the states' chances of seeing the lights are lower. Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Which states could see northern lights June 2? See map
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
2 teens accused of committing multiple armed robberies at Gresham apartment complex
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A pair of teens were arrested early Monday morning after committing two armed robberies at an apartment complex, Gresham police said. Jeremiah White, 18, faces multiple charges, including first-degree robbery. He was lodged at the Multnomah County Detention Center. The other suspect, a 17-year-old boy, was lodged in the Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Center on similar charges. The first incident took place just before 11 p.m. at the apartment complex in the 24000 block of SE Stark St. 'Officers responded to a report of a pedestrian robbery at gunpoint at the apartment complex. The victim reported being approached by a group of four subjects, one armed with a handgun. The suspects stole the victim's keys, jewelry, and a specific brand hoodie before fleeing on foot,' police said. A second robbery was reported at the same location just two hours later. 'A male subject ran to a nearby service station and reported that he had been lured to the apartments by two females via Instagram, then ambushed by two armed males who stole his cell phone and hoodie. Witnesses noted that one of the suspects was wearing a distinctive brand hoodie taken from the first victim,' police said. Around 3 a.m., officers saw the two suspects near the basketball courts at the complex, one of whom was wearing the hoodie of one of the victims. The two suspects attempted to flee from officers, but both were eventually taken into custody. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact police. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
4 hours ago
- USA Today
Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1: Here's what to know
Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1: Here's what to know In the Atlantic Basin, hurricane season lasts from June 1 until Nov. 30. Historically, 97% of all tropical cyclones in the Atlantic will form between those two dates. Show Caption Hide Caption NOAA predicts at least three hurricanes this season NOAA predicts the three major hurricanes in the 2025 hurricane season. It's here. The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season begins Sunday, June 1. Forecasts say the season will bring months of danger for millions of Americans, and the time to prepare starts well before the storms form. In the Atlantic Basin, which includes storms that form in the Atlantic, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of America (formerly known as Gulf of Mexico), hurricane season lasts from June 1 until Nov. 30. Historically, 97% of all tropical cyclones in the Atlantic will form between those two dates. In the eastern Pacific Basin, hurricane season started on May 15 and lasts until Nov. 30. (Tropical Storm Alvin formed in the the eastern Pacific Ocean on May 29, becoming the first named storm anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere this year.) Officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the most dangerous storms can quickly explode in intensity, so understanding forecasts, hurricane dangers and preparedness should be top-of-mind for residents well before storms start forming. Here's a primer on what to know as hurricane danger ramps up in 2025. When does hurricane season peak? The peak of the Atlantic season is typically from mid-August until mid-October. Hurricane season forecasts: How many storms are expected? NOAA, FEMA cuts will impact hurricane season, experts warn The Trump administration's budget cuts at NOAA and FEMA will have an adverse affect on how the U.S. responds to hurricanes, experts warn. Federal forecasters on May 22 predicted a 60% chance of an above average season. (A typical year averages about 14 tropical storms, seven of which spin into hurricanes, based on weather records that date from 1991 to 2020.) Specifically, NOAA is forecasting a range of 13 to 19 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 6 to 10 are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 5 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). Experts from Colorado State University said in their initial forecast released in early April that an active Atlantic hurricane season is likely. They predicted as many as 17 storms. Of those 17 storms, researchers said that nine will become hurricanes. A forecast from AccuWeather, which also came out in April, called for 13-18 named storms, of which 7-10 will be hurricanes. Last year, 18 storms formed, including devastating Hurricanes Helene and Milton. What state has the most hurricanes? Florida, by a wide margin. Since accurate hurricane records began in 1851, more than 120 hurricanes have made landfall in the state of Florida. Texas is second, with 66 hits. And according to NOAA, 40% of all U.S. hurricanes have hit Florida. How can you prepare for hurricane season? Check with your local government to see if you live in an evacuation zone. Have a plan for where you would go if you need to evacuate and share that plan with friends or loved ones. Plan to travel only as far as you need to. Write a family emergency plan with your family and/or close friends to decide how you would contact each other in an emergency, where you will go and what you will do. Keep copies on your phone, in your emergency supplies and share with family. Put together a basic emergency kit, with water and shelf stable foods for up to a week, flashlights, back up batteries, a first aid kit and moist towelettes. Review your insurance policies to ensure if you have adequate coverage, including flood coverage. Store insurance policies, photos of your home and its contents and other important papers in a safe place, in electronic files and/or share copies with family members. For more suggestions, visit NOAA's hurricane preparations page. What is rapid intensification? A rapid strengthening of a hurricane, when wind speeds increase by at least 35 mph in 24 hours. It occurs when a tropical storm or hurricane encounters an extremely conducive environment for strengthening, according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach. That environment consists of very warm water, low vertical wind shear and high levels of midlevel moisture. What is storm surge? Storm surge, the massive amount of water that builds up and comes ashore during a hurricane, is often the deadliest and most destructive threat from these storms. It is characterized by water being pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds moving around the storm, NOAA said. Storm surge has accounted for about half of all the deaths in hurricanes since 1970, according to the National Hurricane Center. It caused most of the 1,800 deaths in Hurricane Katrina in 2005. What are the Atlantic hurricane names for 2025?
