Aurora Borealis watch: Northern lights could be visible Monday night in parts of the U.S.
aurora borealis could be visible Monday night (ET), forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said, as high-speed solar winds could potentially drive minor geomagnetic storms and brighten the display. The viewing zone includes parts of several northern states along the U. S. -Canadian border, plus most of Alaska. Forecasters also said geomagnetic storms are expected to strengthen into Tuesday (ET), a setup that could intensify the skyglow for people positioned far enough north and away from city lights.
What NOAA is forecasting for Monday night (ET)
NOAA forecasters predicted a Kp index of four out of nine for Monday night (ET). At that level, the lights could be visible from some northern states along the U. S. -Canadian border and could appear brighter, with more “motion and formations. ”
NOAA linked the expected uptick to high-speed streams from a coronal hole, described as a cooler, less dense region of the Sun. Those solar-wind streams could trigger minor geomagnetic storms, NOAA said in its three-day forecast.
Where the aurora could be visible
NOAA’s view map for Monday (ET) shows potential visibility in parts of states along the U. S. -Canadian border. The areas listed by NOAA include northern Washington, the Idaho Panhandle, most of Montana, North Dakota, and northern South Dakota.
Parts of the upper Midwest could also see the lights, including northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. NOAA also noted the aurora could be visible from the very northern portion of Maine, as well as most of Alaska.
Aurora Borealis could strengthen into Tuesday (ET)
In the same forecast window, NOAA forecasters said geomagnetic storms are expected to reach moderate strength by midday Tuesday (ET). Astronomers observed an X-class solar flare late Sunday evening and early Monday morning (ET), and NOAA said it was associated with “degradation” of high frequency radio signals on Earth’s sunlit side when it happened—primarily Southeast Asia and Northern Australia.
NOAA also said a coronal mass ejection occurred at the same time. When eruptions like these reach Earth, they can interact with Earth’s magnetic field and produce stronger geomagnetic storms. NOAA forecasters are currently expecting the ejection to reach Earth by Tuesday (ET), potentially combining with the influence from solar winds to create an even stronger aurora borealis for viewers.
Immediate reactions and practical viewing guidance
NOAA experts urged would-be viewers to travel north toward Earth’s magnetic north pole, which is located in northern Canada. The agency also recommended finding a vantage point away from city lights with a clear view of the northern night sky.
NOAA noted the aurora can be visible up to 600 miles away from where it appears, and advised timing: the lights are typically most active between 10 p. m. and 2 a. m. (ET).
For those hoping to photograph the display, guidance cited from experts who spoke to National Geographic said modern smartphones can capture quality images. The advice includes using night mode, turning off flash, shooting in RAW image format, and bringing a tripod to stabilize the device.
Quick context and what’s next
NOAA’s forecast focuses on the interaction between high-speed solar winds and an expected coronal mass ejection arrival window into Tuesday (ET). The key uncertainty is timing and strength once solar material reaches Earth, which can shift visibility north or south along the forecast line.
Next updates will hinge on how geomagnetic conditions evolve into Tuesday (ET). If the expected strengthening materializes, viewers positioned in the northern tier listed by NOAA may see a brighter, more structured display—while those farther south may need to watch the northern horizon and wait for any upward swing in activity.
