The northern lights are expected to appear along the US-Canada border on Monday night, as auroral activity is forecasted to calm down through the week. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a Kp index of four is predicted for Monday, which could lead to clearer displays of the aurora borealis.
Stargazers in areas with clear skies can expect to see the northern lights move farther from the poles, making them more visible. However, some minor to moderate radio blackouts are possible, affecting high-frequency radio communication.
The best viewing spots are located in parts of Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, and northern Minnesota. The northern lights are typically best seen between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., and experts recommend traveling to high vantage points away from light pollution for the best views.
Photographers can capture stunning images by using a camera with a wide-angle lens, F-stop of four or less, and setting the focus to its furthest possible setting. For smartphone users, enabling night mode and disabling flash can also produce better results.
The northern lights are caused by an interaction between electrons from solar events and oxygen and nitrogen in Earth’s atmosphere, resulting in colorful displays of aurora borealis. The latest peak in activity was reached in October 2024, with the next expected to occur into early 2026.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2025/04/07/northern-lights-forecast-10-states-may-see-aurora-borealis-tonight