3 days ago
‘Extreme' Northern Lights Alert: 27 States May See Aurora This Weekend During Intense Storm
Scotland, East Lothian, silhouette of woman standing on Seacliff Beach watching Northern lights
The Northern Lights may be visible from 27 U.S. states on Sunday, June 1 through Monday, June 2, 2025, after a massive geomagnetic storm was forecast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
"By as early as midday on 01 Jun to early on 02Jun, conditions are expected to increase rapidly with the arrival of the CME from 31 May," said a NOAA post, referring to the arrival of a coronal mass ejection — a huge cloud of charged particles — from he sun. "G3-G4 (Strong-Severe) conditions are likely, with a chance for G5 (Extreme) levels on 01-02 Jun," said NOAA. The effects of the CME could last through Tuesday, June 3.
However, NOAA added that, "While confidence is high for CME arrival at Earth, confidence is much lower for timing and magnitude."
The effect on darkness hours of Earth's tilt as we approach the solstice on June 21 make the U.S. currently one of the best places to see the Northern Lights.
NOAA has also dropped an aurora viewline forecast that indicates that aurora may be seen from 27 U.S. states.
According to NOAA, this display may be seen in northern skies from northern Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, northeast Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine — and many others. Regions closest to the border with Canada will have the highest possibility of seeing the aurora.
The potential displays of aurora borealis tonight have a predicted Kp index of 7.67.
According to NOAA, that means 'the aurora will move even further from the poles and will become quite bright and active. At this geomagnetic activity level, it might be possible to see the aurora from the northern edge of the United States.'
NOAA's aurora viewline forecast for Sunday, June1, 2025.
Here are some tips for seeing the aurora:
The solar wind is a stream of charged particles from the sun interacting with Earth's magnetic field. They're super-charged by a coronal mass ejection that travels to Earth over a few days.
Aurora is typically seen in polar regions at around latitudes of 70 degrees north and south, but during extreme geomagnetic conditions — usually when CMEs arrive at Earth one after another, or in tandem — the auroral oval can bulge, with displays then seen as low as 25 degrees north and south of the equator.
Follow my page for the latest Northern Lights forecast.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
