A geomagnetic storm is expected to bring the northern lights to more than a dozen states in the northern United States on Tuesday night, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The aurora borealis will be visible across Canada and Alaska, with areas such as Wyoming, South Dakota, and New York having a lower likelihood of viewing.
The Kp index is forecasted at five, indicating that auroral activity will be brighter and more visible farther away from the poles. Minor or greater geomagnetic storms are expected through early Wednesday, followed by nearly visibility on Wednesday night before calming down on Thursday.
To see the northern lights, experts recommend traveling to a north-facing high vantage point away from light pollution between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. For photographers, a tripod, wide-angle lens, and aperture of four or less are recommended.
The increased auroral activity is due to solar winds from the sun’s surface, which are expected to continue into early 2026, according to NASA’s projections. This peak in solar activity is part of the sun’s 11-year cycle, where a “solar maximum” and “solar minimum” are reached at different points.
The northern lights occur when electrons collide with oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth’s atmosphere, causing them to become excited before releasing the swirling displays of the aurora borealis.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2025/05/27/northern-lights-forecast-geomagnetic-storms-may-bring-aurora-borealis-to-these-15-states-tonight