How to watch the northern lights from 10 states tonight

According to NOAA forecasters, a minor G1 geomagnetic storm is likely, giving skywatchers in northern states near the Canadian border a possible opportunity to witness the aurora borealis

NEED TO KNOW

• A minor geomagnetic storm could make the northern lights visible in northern U.S. states on July 21 and 22
• The auroras are caused by solar wind from a coronal hole, not a coronal mass ejection
• Dark skies and real-time aurora forecasts can help viewers spot the faint light display

The sun could be preparing to put on a show tonight, so charge your smartphone and check the aurora forecast!

The northern lights could become visible across portions of the northern United States late this evening, July 21, and into tomorrow, July 22, as a stream of fast solar wind reaches Earth.

For reference, the northern lights (aurora borealis) are a result of geomagnetic storms, which occur when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, creating brilliant waves of light in the sky.

However, this potential sky show isn’t a result of a coronal mass ejection (CME), the intense solar eruptions responsible for some of the most widespread aurora events in recent years. 

Instead, NOAA space weather forecasters are tracking a large, recurring coronal hole, an opening in the sun’s magnetic field that allows high-speed solar wind to flow into space, per NASA.

When that stream interacts with Earth’s magnetic field, it can produce increased geomagnetic activity and, under the right conditions, northern lights.

On that note, a minor G1 geomagnetic storm is likely, giving skywatchers in northern states near the Canadian border a possible opportunity to witness the aurora borealis.

Still, if the northern lights stay low along the horizon, summertime twilight and the first quarter moon could make a faint display more difficult to detect.

Here’s everything you need to know about this stellar event.

When will the northern lights be visible?

Geomagnetic activity is expected to begin increasing late on Tuesday, July 21, before continuing into Wednesday, July 22. Still, the arrival time and intensity remain uncertain because coronal-hole solar wind streams don’t always reach Earth when predicted.

According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, “By late on 21 Jul, unsettled to active conditions are likely, with a chance for G1 (Minor) levels near the end of the period. By 22 Jul, unsettled to active periods are expected, with G1 (Minor) storm levels likely as the negative CH HSS moves into a geoeffective position.”

Together, the forecasts point to a relatively minor event rather than a major geomagnetic storm. However, it could be strong enough to produce auroras across northern U.S. states, especially if the solar wind arrives with a magnetic orientation that allows it to connect efficiently with Earth’s magnetic field.

As always, the best opportunity will come during the late-night hours of the night... but because the nights are shorter in July, viewers may have a shorter viewing window than usual.

Where will the northern lights be visible?

A G1 (or minor) geomagnetic storm can occasionally bring the northern lights into view across states near the U.S.-Canada border, and tonight this includes Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire.

The viewing range will depend on several rapidly changing factors, including the speed and density of the solar wind, cloud cover and local light pollution.

NOAA notes that the aurora expands farther from the poles as geomagnetic activity strengthens, but clear, cloud-free skies are still essential for viewing

How to watch the northern lights?

First things first: get away from city lights!

Auroras are surprisingly faint to the naked eye at first, especially during weaker geomagnetic storms, so dark skies make a huge difference.

Patience matters, too! After all, auroral activity can fluctuate quickly, sometimes appearing as a faint glow before suddenly erupting into visible ribbons or waves of green light.

Remember to also keep tabs on real-time conditions using NOAA’s 30-minute aurora forecast and space-weather apps that track solar wind and magnetic field changes.

How to photograph the northern lights?

Did you know that your smartphone camera might actually capture the aurora better than your eyes can during weaker storms?

If you’re using a smartphone device, switch to night mode or long exposure mode and hold the camera as still as possible — ideally with a tripod or by propping it against something stable. You’ll want to keep your setup as steady as possible, since the auroras are best captured with long exposures.

All you have to do is head to your device’s settings and tap the “Night Mode” option or “Pro Mode,” which offers similar exposure times.

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