Vibrant northern lights are anticipated to be visible across various states on Thursday night, spanning from the Pacific Northwest to the upper Midwest and the Northeast.

Although the auroras are predominantly observable in Alaska and Canada, people from Oregon to New York might also be able to witness the breathtaking display known as the Aurora Borealis, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center.

After a series of solar eruptions that occurred on Tuesday, the center has issued a moderate G2 geomagnetic storm watch, indicating increased auroral activity on Thursday night. If the anticipated storm levels rise as expected, solar material and magnetic fields will create the spectacular natural light display.

A Kp level 6 has been announced, which means the auroras will be more brilliant and active as they drift away from the poles.

“With this level of geomagnetic activity, it may be possible to witness the aurora in the northernmost parts of the United States,” the center notes.

This past August, the auroras were spotted as far south as Alabama and reached westward to northern California due to a significant geomagnetic solar storm that involved at least five solar flares.

States with a chance to view the northern lights

People in at least 17 states across the U.S. could have the opportunity to experience the northern lights on Thursday night.

The following states in the continental U.S. are within the aurora visibility range:

• Washington
• Oregon
• Idaho
• Montana
• Wyoming
• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• Nebraska
• Minnesota
• Iowa
• Wisconsin
• Illinois
• Michigan
• New York
• Vermont
• New Hampshire
• Maine

Timing for northern lights visibility

The auroras are projected to be bright and active in select regions of 17 U.S. states on Thursday night, September 12, 2024.

Understanding auroras and the northern lights

Auroras are bright ribbons of light that dance across the polar areas of the Earth, as explained by NASA.

Geomagnetic storms, which are triggered by solar activities like solar flares or coronal mass ejections, propel charged particles from the solar wind away from the sun, resulting in the northern lights.

Can you observe northern lights without equipment?

Northern lights can be seen without the aid of telescopes or microscopes. The ability to view the aurora is influenced by various factors including location, weather, time of day, and current geomagnetic activity levels.

Contributors: Doyle Rice and Dinah Voyles Pulver