Heads up aurora chasers! The northern lights could put on a spectacular show tonight (Nov. 11-12) as two incoming coronal mass ejections (CMEs) may spark geomagnetic storm conditions, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Space weather forecasters anticipate that geomagnetic activity may intensify to strong (G3) conditions overnight.
Where can I see the northern lights tonight?
Aurora forecast viewline for tonight, courtesy of NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center. (Image credit: Map: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, Background added in Canva Pro.)
States that could see auroras tonight
Based on the latest NOAA aurora forecast map, the following 21 U.S. States appear fully or partially above the aurora view line:
- Alaska
- North Dakota
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Wisconsin
- Michigan
- Maine
- South Dakota
- Idaho
- Vermont
- Washington
- New Hampshire
- Wyoming
- New York
- Iowa
- Massachusetts
- Pennsylvania
- Nebraska
- Ohio
- Illinois
- Indiana
But remember, auroras are fickle; sometimes they appear much farther south than predicted, and other times they barely show up at all. Many conditions have to align for the perfect display.
Northern Hemisphere aurora forecast courtesy of the U.K. Met Office
What time should I look for auroras tonight?
The northern lights could be visible across 21 U.S. states tonight (Nov. 11-12) as soon as it gets dark, so it’s worth keeping an eye on the sky throughout the evening, especially in areas with clear, dark skies and minimal light pollution.
According to NOAA’s 3-day forecast, geomagnetic storm activity is expected to stay high with the best chances of auroras during the following key times tonight:
- 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. EST (2100-0300 GMT): Minor (G1) to moderate (G2) storm levels possible.
- 10 p.m. – 1 a.m. EST (0300-0600 GMT): Strong (G3) storm levels possible.
How can I see the northern lights from where I live?
If you live in one of the 21 U.S. states forecast to catch a glimpse of the northern lights tonight, there are a few things you can do to give yourself the best chance of seeing them.
- Find a north-facing vantage point with a clear view of the horizon as far from light pollution as possible.
- Use your phone camera to scan the sky as the camera is great at picking up faint auroras before your eyes spot them. This will give you a good idea of the direction you should be focusing your attention.
- Try to let your eyes adapt to the dark for at least 30 minutes; this will help your night vision develop.
- Where warm clothing! Part of the fun of aurora hunting is the chase. Be prepared to sit or stand for hours if conditions are looking promising, as you won’t want to miss the show when it starts!
For your best chance to see the northern lights find a clear view of the northern horizon and try and get as far away from light pollution as possible. (Image credit: Daisy Dobrijevic)
We recommend downloading a space weather app that provides aurora forecasts based on your location. One option I use is “My Aurora Forecast & Alerts,” available for both iOS and Android. However, any similar app should work well. I also use the “Space Weather Live” app, which is available on iOS and Android, to get a deeper understanding of whether the current space weather conditions are favorable for aurora sightings.
