Aurora borealis may be visible in some areas along the Canadian border on Thursday, as high-speed winds from a spot on the sun’s surface could impact the Earth’s magnetic field. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts a Kp index of four to six, indicating increased auroral activity.
According to NOAA, a coronal hole high-speed stream will likely result in a geomagnetic storm later Thursday, which may disturb the Earth’s magnetic field and pull the northern lights further south. This event could make the northern lights more active and visible for those in the right areas.
The best viewing spots for the northern lights are in Northern Canada and Alaska. However, parts of the US bordering Canada may also offer a glimpse of this phenomenon. To enhance visibility, it’s recommended to travel to high vantage points away from light pollution between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time.
Photographers can capture the northern lights using wide-angle lenses, an aperture or F-stop of four or less, and focusing on the farthest possible setting. For smartphone users, turning on night mode and disabling flash can also help produce better images.
The recent solar maximum in October 2024 has led to an increase in solar events that will persist into early 2026. This resulted in a 500-year peak of aurora borealis displays in 2024, with the strongest geomagnetic storm affecting Earth last May and pulling the northern lights as far south as Texas and Florida.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2025/02/27/northern-lights-forecast-these-10-states-may-see-aurora-borealis-tonight-amid-moderate-geomagnetic-storm