The Aurora Borealis can appear here this evening and Sunday

Topline

Some select states in the northern United States have a chance to see the Northern Lights on Saturday evening, according to an update from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that predicts an increase in solar activity through Sunday. (UPDATE: Here's one updated forecast for Sunday.)

Important facts

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Where will the Northern Lights be visible tonight?

Northern portions of Washington and Idaho, all of North Dakota and northern portions of Montana, Minnesota and Wisconsin are within the line of sight Saturday evening (see below).

Where will the Northern Lights be visible on Sunday evening?

There is a small chance of seeing the Northern Lights in Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine. The further north people live in the states, the greater the chances of catching a glimpse of the natural phenomenon. (See map below.)

How do you see the Northern Lights?

Areas with little or no light pollution and clear skies are best for viewing, which happens best between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m

How do you photograph the lights?

If you want to photograph the northern lights with your smartphone, you should use night mode and low shutter speeds to capture the movement of the northern lights.

Important background

The good Northern Lights forecast for the weekend follows a strong performance on Thursday when the forecast KP index reached as high as eight, while the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced a severe geomagnetic storm that pushed the line of sight much further south than in recent times months. This strong performance precedes a predicted increase in solar activity between late this year and early 2026, with space weather researchers predicting an increase in sunspots and geomagnetic storms.

Further reading

Solar storm brings spectacular Northern Lights to sky watchers from as far away as Texas (NBC)