Northern Lights Forecast: Here's Where Aurora Borealis Could Be Visible Friday Night
The northern lights may be seen in states like Washington, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
www.forbes.comHere are the latest aurora borealis updates for North America this weekend based on recent forecasts and reports.
Key points
- Expected visibility: The northern U.S. and southern Canada remain the clearest bets for weekend aurora displays, with best chances in the high-latitude regions (Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Montana, Idaho) and across the Pacific Northwest. The likelihood decreases with distance from the polar regions and is highly weather-dependent.[1][6]
- Timing: Peak activity is typically overnight, with the strongest displays forecast on Friday night into Saturday night, and potential secondary activity later in the weekend if solar activity continues. Weather permitting, you may see auroras from late evening through pre-dawn in the northern portions of the continent.[6][1]
- Visibility factors: Clear, dark skies are essential. Cloud cover, light pollution, and moon phase can significantly affect your ability to see the aurora. It’s best to monitor local forecasts and NOAA Space Weather predictions for short-term updates.[1][6]
- What you could see: Depending on solar activity, you may observe visible color bands (green hues are common, with potential red or purple tinges at higher latitudes or during strong events). Observations may be possible with the naked eye in ideal locations, or captured with long-exposure photography where skies are clear.[6][1]
Practical tips for Valletta, Malta-based observers or travelers
- If you’re traveling to North America to chase the aurora, plan for northern states/provinces (e.g., Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, Montana, Washington, Oregon) and southern Canada. Expect cold nights and potentially long drives to reach dark-sky sites.[1][6]
- Since weather is a major variable, consider multiple nights and flexible travel plans to maximize chances of clear skies.[1]
- Use real-time aurora forecasts and local sky-tracking apps to time outings when KP-index and solar wind conditions favor aurora activity.[9]
Illustration
- A simple mental image: Think of the aurora as a dynamic glow curtain that can sweep across the northern sky; the brighter and more organized the geomagnetic storm, the more dramatic the display, especially near the arctic-facing horizons.[6][1]
If you’d like, I can pull specific city-by-city viewing chances for nearby North American locations this weekend and suggest exact viewing windows based on current sky conditions. I can also generate a quickForecast map or a checklist for a potential weekend aurora chase. Please tell me your preferred location (e.g., nearest city in the U.S. or Canada) and whether you’d like a single-location forecast or a broader regional outlook.