A geomagnetic storm is expected to hit Earth’s magnetic field on Monday night, causing aurora borealis (northern lights) to appear in more northern U.S. states than usual. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a Kp index of four is forecasted for Monday, indicating that the northern lights will be visible further from the North Pole and will be “quite pleasing to look at” in areas where they are visible.
The minor geomagnetic storm is expected to cause some radio blackouts through Tuesday, but auroral activity is likely to continue into Wednesday. This week’s solar weather events are predicted to include 31 minor solar flares and 27 coronal mass ejections, which could lead to more frequent aurora borealis displays.
People in Alaska will have the best chance of seeing the northern lights, while areas in northeastern Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, and Minnesota will have a lower likelihood. In contrast, parts of South Dakota, Wisconsin, Upper Michigan, and Maine are likely to be less visible.
For optimal viewing, travel to a high vantage point away from light pollution between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. The northern lights can be seen as far as 620 miles away under ideal conditions. For photography, use a wide-angle lens, high ISO value, and set the focus to the farthest possible setting.
Geomagnetic storms are caused by solar activity, which interacts with Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere. They produce light particles when electrons interact with nitrogen and oxygen atoms in the air, creating the northern lights phenomenon. This week’s solar peak is part of a larger cycle that reached its maximum in October and will continue into early 2026.
(Note: The Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts section has been removed as it is not relevant to the content.)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2025/02/10/northern-lights-forecast-these-10-states-may-get-aurora-borealis-tonight-from-geomagnetic-storm