Topline
The northern lights may dazzle viewers across nine states Sunday night as minor geomagnetic storms loom, according to the latest forecast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Minor geomagnetic storms could bring northern lights to some of the northernmost states Sunday night. (Photo by Muhammed Enes Yildirim/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Anadolu via Getty Images
Key Facts
Sunday night’s northern lights display has a projected Kp index of 4, according to NOAA’s latest forecast, indicating “brighter” lights that “can be quite pleasing to look at.”
The Kp index, measured on a scale from 0 to 9, is expected to decline after Sunday night, with Monday night’s preliminary forecast indicating a peak Kp index of 3.
Sunday night’s lights are expected to be boosted by minor geomagnetic storms, according to NOAA’s forecast.
Which States May See The Northern Lights Sunday Night?
As usual, Alaskans will have the best shot at seeing the northern lights, with much of the state’s interior forecast to have a high likelihood of seeing the aurora Sunday night. Much of Canada, particularly up north, will also have a strong shot. Some northern states in the contiguous U.S. have a lower likelihood but still a potential of seeing the lights on Sunday, including some northern parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, along with essentially all of North Dakota.
What’s The Best Way To See The Northern Lights?
NOAA says the best time to view the lights is typically between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time, when the aurora is usually most active. To maximize the chance of seeing the aurora, NOAA suggests viewers avoid light pollution, travel as far north as possible and find a high vantage point.
What’s The Best Way To Photograph The Lights?
Travel photographers told National Geographic the ideal way to take pictures of the northern lights is by using a tripod for stability, using a wide-angle lens and a lower shutter speed. Photographers using their iPhone should enable the camera’s night mode, turn off flash and shoot in RAW format.
key background
The northern lights made frequent appearances in American skies between 2024 and 2025, so much so that NASA said aurora displays hit a 500-year peak. The lights were so active because the sun was in its “solar maximum,” the period during its solar cycle where events like geomagnetic storms are more common. Auroral activity is expected to decline throughout the latter half of the 2020s, scientists have said.
further reading
Where and when to see the northern lights in 2026 (Space.com)
Leave a comment