A small group of northern U.S. states will have a chance to observe the northern lights Monday night, with forecasters expecting minor auroral activity in the region.
Northern lights are seen in the sky over trees along the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway, north of ... [+]
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast a Kp index of three for Monday night, which means the northern lights will show “more auroral activity” that “can be quite pleasing to look at” if observers are in the right place.
The curved viewing line for the aurora borealis stretches to the southernmost point of North Dakota.
Those unable to catch a look at the northern lights Monday night should try again Tuesday, when the viewing line moves farther south into the U.S. and the Kp index increases to five.
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Areas within Monday’s viewing line (see map below) include the northernmost tip of Idaho, northeastern Montana, most of North Dakota, the northern half of Minnesota and the northern tip of Wisconsin. NOAA is forecasting a low likelihood of aurora for the regions. Much of Alaska and Canada will have a better shot at seeing the northern lights.
Monday's viewing line.
Observers should try to watch the northern lights from high vantage points in areas with little to no light pollution and clear skies if they can, according to NOAA, which says watching between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. is most ideal.
Observers using smartphones to capture images of the northern lights should use night mode. Those with capable smartphones or traditional cameras are encouraged to use wide-angle lenses, wide apertures and high ISO values.
2024 marked a strong year for northern lights showings as several geomagnetic storms materialized, including an exceptionally powerful one in May considered to be the strongest geomagnetic storm to reach Earth in 20 years. This year is also shaping up to be an active one for aurora borealis, with NASA forecasting the solar maximum that hit in 2024 to continue through 2025. Solar maximums marks the strongest solar activity within the sun’s 11-year solar cycle.
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