Northern lights may appear in 9 U.S. states Thursday night

The northern lights may be visible Thursday night across parts of nine northern U.S. states after NOAA forecast minor geomagnetic storm conditions and a Kp index of five. Alaska has the highest odds, while border areas from Washington to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula also have a chance, best between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. away from city lights.

Key Takeaways

• NOAA forecasts a Kp index of five Thursday night, which can push the aurora farther south than usual.
• Minor geomagnetic storms are expected late Thursday into early Friday after a recent coronal mass ejection.
• Chances cover northern Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, northern South Dakota, northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and Alaska.
• Auroral activity is expected to calm through Saturday, with a Kp index near two.

According to Forbes, citing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, geomagnetic storm conditions could make the aurora borealis more visible along the northern U.S. border on Thursday.

Where will the northern lights be visible?

NOAA’s forecast shows a chance of seeing the northern lights in parts of northern Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, northern South Dakota, the northern half of Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A higher likelihood is projected across most of Alaska.

That nine-state corridor hugs the Canadian border, where a Kp index of five can make the aurora appear brighter and farther south than usual. Readers following BlasterPost’s Longevity & Biohacking hub can treat the short viewing window as a planned outdoor night rather than a last-minute scramble.

When is the best time to see the northern lights?

The northern lights are typically best seen between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. Choose a high vantage point and get away from light pollution for the clearest view.

Photography experts recommend low apertures, wide-angle lenses, and tripods. Smartphone users should use night mode and avoid flash.

Why are geomagnetic storms boosting the aurora now?

Some minor geomagnetic storms are expected late Thursday and early Friday from the influences of a recent coronal mass ejection, or large bursts of solar material that escape the sun’s outer layer and disrupt Earth’s geomagnetic field.

NOAA forecast a Kp index of five on a scale of nine for Thursday night, suggesting the aurora may appear brighter and farther south from the magnetic north pole than usual. Auroral activity is expected to calm through Saturday night, with an expected Kp index of two for each of the next two days, according to NOAA.