Northern Lights Tonight: Stargazers across the United States may be in for a rare and dazzling treat tonight, as a powerful geomagnetic storm could make the northern lights visible much farther south than usual — including over states like Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and even Oregon.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a G4-level geomagnetic storm watch for Sunday night, June 2. This comes after a strong coronal mass ejection (CME) slammed into Earth’s magnetic field in the early hours of Sunday, triggering elevated space weather conditions and setting the stage for a widespread aurora display after sunset.
The CME, which erupted from the sun on Friday, carries high-energy particles that interact with Earth’s magnetic field, often lighting up the skies near the poles with stunning displays of green, purple, and red. But under the right conditions — like tonight — these auroras can stretch much farther south.
Which U.S. States Could See the Aurora Tonight?
NOAA’s latest forecast shows the Kp index may peak at 7.67, indicating a strong chance for visible auroras. If G3 to G4 levels are sustained, the aurora borealis could be seen in parts of 23 U.S. states, including:
Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, South Dakota, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Nebraska, Iowa, Wyoming, Illinois, Indiana, and Pennsylvania.
Visibility will be best for those in rural, dark-sky areas with minimal light pollution. Experts recommend facing north and heading out between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time for the best chances.
What Makes Tonight Special?
The last major aurora event of this magnitude occurred in October 2024, when intense solar activity allowed people in West Michigan and other regions to witness a spectacular display. While tonight’s event may not reach those same levels, NOAA says the possibility of G3-G4 level activity still exists, especially if the Earth’s magnetic field shifts southward again during the night.
However, the agency also cautions that the strongest CME energy has already passed, and the current orientation of the magnetic field isn’t ideal. That means chances of seeing overhead auroras are lower than they were earlier in the day — but not zero.
“Space weather is unpredictable,” NOAA said. “Even if the outlook appears uncertain, the potential for seeing the aurora makes it worth stepping outside.”
Wildfire Smoke May Affect Visibility
Clear skies are expected for much of the U.S. tonight, but wildfire smoke drifting from the west may reduce the vibrancy of the northern lights, especially in parts of the Midwest. While the smoke won’t completely block visibility, it could mute some of the aurora’s colors.
Despite that, tonight offers one of the best chances in months to see the northern lights across the lower 48 states. For real-time updates, consider using apps like My Aurora Forecast & Alerts or Space Weather Live to track activity in your area.