Topline
The northern lights could appear in several states in the northern U.S. on Thursday night, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as the Perseids meteor shower may also appear in the night sky.
The possible aurora borealis coincides with the Perseids meteor shower, with hundreds of meteors … More
Key Facts
NOAA forecast a Kp index of three on a scale of nine for Thursday night, as the aurora could become “brighter” and be seen farther from the poles.
The agency said the Kp index could reach nearly four early Friday morning, potentially pulling the northern lights farther south, though NOAA expects no geomagnetic storms or significant transient or recurrent solar winds to disrupt the Earth’s geomagnetic field.
Quieter auroral activity is forecast through the early weekend, with a maximum Kp index of just over two forecast for Friday and Saturday nights, according to NOAA.
Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible?
A higher chance of seeing the northern lights is forecast across northern Canada and Alaska, once the sun sets in the state. A lesser chance is forecast in parts of northern Montana, North Dakota, northern Minnesota, northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. (See map below.)
Thursday night’s view line.
What’s The Best Way To See The Northern Lights?
NOAA recommends traveling to a high, north-facing vantage point away from light pollution sometime between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time.
What’s The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights?
Photography experts told National Geographic it’s best to use a wide-angle lens, an aperture or F-stop of four or less and a focus set to the furthest possible setting. With a smartphone, NOAA recommends enabling night mode, disabling flash and relying on a tripod to stabilize the image.
Key Background
Stronger auroral displays are expected through early 2026 after activity on the sun’s surface reached a “solar maximum” late last year, NOAA and NASA said. This peak marks an increase in solar events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which are responsible for disrupting Earth’s geomagnetic field and creating the northern lights. A “solar maximum” occurs throughout the sun’s 11-year cycle, and the latest peak surpassed projections by NOAA and NASA, which said auroral displays hit a 500-year peak in 2024.
What To Watch For
Northern lights displays this week coincide with the Perseids meteor shower, which is expected to begin Thursday night. The meteor shower’s peak night is forecast between Aug. 12-13, when hundreds of meteors may be visible across the night sky.