Generated

Rob Steenburgh Predicts Northern Lights Visibility Across Northern United States and Canada This Weekend

Rob Steenburgh, a space scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), reports that skywatchers in the northern United States and southern Canada may see the aurora borealis this weekend. While the agency is not forecasting a major geomagnetic storm, a Kp index of 4.0 to 5.67 is expected, providing enough activity for the lights to be visible in several states. Alaska remains the primary location for the strongest views, but observers in northern Montana, North Dakota, and Minnesota are also expected to have good opportunities. Other regions including northern Washington, Idaho, Wisconsin, and Michigan may see limited visibility. To maximize viewing, NOAA recommends finding a dark location with minimal light pollution and looking toward the northern horizon between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Because the aurora is often faint, experts suggest using smartphone night modes or long-exposure camera settings to capture the best images. Solar activity is currently in a declining phase following the 2024 solar maximum.

Sources