A geomagnetic storm could make the northern lights visible this week in Alaska and mostly states that border Canada. Coronal masses from the sun are most likely to hit Earth overnight Monday or Tuesday, giving skywatchers a short viewing window.
Alaska and Canada border states
People in Alaska and mostly states that border Canada may have the best chance to see the aurora. The forecast points to the north rather than a broad stretch across the country, so the view is more limited than many readers might expect.
Faint auroras can still look vivid in photographs, including shots taken with a smartphone. For anyone hoping to catch the display, that makes the overnight Monday or Tuesday window more useful than a casual glance at the sky.
Earth and the sun
The trigger is a coronal mass ejection, the burst of material sent from the sun toward Earth. When that material reaches Earth’s magnetic field, it can produce the conditions needed for aurora activity.
Aurora activity tends to be more common around the equinoxes because of the orientation of Earth’s magnetic field. That pattern helps explain why this week’s forecast is drawing attention now, even though the visible show may stay concentrated in Alaska and the northern border states.
Overnight Monday or Tuesday
The most important timing detail is the overnight Monday or Tuesday arrival window. That is when the coronal masses are most likely to hit Earth, and it gives readers a narrow stretch to watch for the lights if local skies cooperate.
The practical takeaway is simple: look north during that window, and use a phone camera if the lights seem faint to the eye. In this forecast, the best chances stay close to Alaska and the states that border Canada.
