A geomagnetic storm from a recent burst of energy from the sun’s surface is expected to disrupt Earth’s magnetic field and pull the northern lights to several states in the northern U.S. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a geomagnetic storm watch due to a coronal mass ejection that occurred on April 13, which may lead to increased geomagnetic activity.
On Wednesday night, auroral activity is forecasted with a Kp index of five, indicating the northern lights will be visible farther from the poles and be relatively pleasant for those in the right areas. A “strong” geomagnetic storm is expected on Wednesday, while there’s potential for a “minor” storm on Thursday.
The best locations to view the northern lights are Alaska and most of Canada, with parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Upper Michigan having a lower likelihood of viewing the phenomenon. Those in South Dakota, Wisconsin, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine have an even lower chance.
To capture the northern lights on camera, experts recommend traveling to a north-facing high vantage point away from light pollution. Using a wide-angle lens with a low aperture, or turning on night mode on a smartphone, can also help produce optimal results.
This geomagnetic storm is a result of the sun’s “solar maximum” period, which began in October and will persist into early 2026. The peak is expected to make northern lights displays more common, following the strongest geomagnetic storm in two decades that appeared in May.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2025/04/16/northern-lights-forecast-strong-geomagnetic-storm-may-bring-aurora-borealis-to-these-15-states