15 States Could See Northern Lights This Friday Night

Nature is preparing a free light show for millions of Americans this Friday night, and you won't need to book a trip to Iceland to see it.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts that the aurora borealis will stretch far enough south to be visible across 15 states this weekend. A coronal hole on the sun's surface is sending geomagnetic activity our way, creating conditions perfect for viewing the dancing green and pink lights.

States with the best viewing odds include Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Montana, South Dakota, Iowa, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine also have a solid chance of catching the show.

The forecast calls for minor geomagnetic storms Friday night through early Saturday morning, with similar activity continuing through Sunday. NOAA rated Friday's display at a five on the nine-point Kp index, meaning the aurora will be bright and "quite pleasing to look at."

The ideal viewing window runs from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. local time. Head as far north as possible to a dark spot away from city lights, and look toward the northern horizon from a high vantage point.

Why This Inspires

This celestial event reminds us that some of nature's most breathtaking moments are completely free and accessible to anyone willing to stay up past bedtime. The same solar activity that powers our northern lights has been putting on shows for thousands of years, connecting us to generations of people who looked up in wonder at the same phenomenon.

Modern technology means we can now predict these displays days in advance, giving families time to plan viewing parties and create memories together. Social media will likely light up with photos captured on smartphones, as both iPhone and Android users can now photograph the aurora using night mode or pro settings.

The weekend timing couldn't be better for families hoping to experience this together.