These States Could See Aurora Borealis Tonight

Topline A small group of states along the northern U.S. border will have a shot at seeing the northern lights Saturday night, with forecasters predicting a minor showing of auroral activity expected to increase later this weekend. NOAA’s northern lights forecast improves on Sunday night. (Photo by Hasan Akbas/Anadolu via Getty ... More Images) Key Facts The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts a Kp index of three on a scale of nine for Saturday night, meaning the aurora will move further from the poles and produce more movement and formations. The viewing line for Saturday’s northern lights stretches as low as the border between North Dakota and South Dakota, with chances of seeing aurora borealis increasing the farther north of the line viewers are located. Those who do not catch a look at the northern lights Saturday will have another chance to try Sunday, when the viewing line is forecasted to drop further south and the Kp index increases to four. Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts : We’re launching text message alerts so you’ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here . Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible? Areas within Saturday’s viewing line include the northern tip of Idaho, the northeastern half of Montana, North Dakota, the northern half of Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s upper peninsula. The states have a low chance at seeing the lights, with Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota having the best chances (see map below). Saturday’s viewing line. What’s The Best Way To See The Northern Lights? The best viewing hours for the northern lights are between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Viewers can increase their visibility by observing from places with high vantage points, little to no light pollution and clear skies. What’s The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights? Night mode and low shutter speeds on smartphones can help observers with capturing the northern lights through photos, as well as the use of tripods for image stability. Traditional cameras should use high ISO values, wide apertures and wide-angle lenses to snap photos of the northern lights. Key Background Aurora borealis is created through solar flares and coronal mass ejections, types of solar events that interact with oxygen and nitrogen molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere. Electrons interact with the molecules and become “excited” before producing the auroral phenomenon. Northern lights activity hit a peak last year as the sun’s surface reached a “solar maximum.” The activity of the natural phenomenon has been consistent in 2025 and could last into next year, according to NASA. Further Reading Why You Should Plan A Northern Lights Trip To Scandinavia In 2025 (Forbes) Northern Lights Displays Hit A 500-Year Peak In 2024—Here’s Where You Could Catch Aurora Borealis In 2025 (Forbes) Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2025/05/03/updated-northern-lights-forecast-these-6-states-could-see-aurora-borealis-tonight/