How to See the Northern Lights From the USA This Week
If you know anything about theAurora Borealis , also known as theAurora Borealis, it is likely that they don’t like to stick to a schedule. Of course, scientists can predict the general seasons and geographical locations where the natural light show may be more likely to occur, but there are no guarantees. (Just ask the many people who booked trips to Iceland, assuming they’ll see the northern lights at some point, just to be disappointed.)
But what scientists can do is tell us if there are potentially strong geomagnetic storms in our path, conditions that indicate that the aurora borealis might be visible. Such conditions could happen this week, according to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). Here’s what you need to know about where the Northern Lights can be seen this week in the US and how to see them.
Places to see the northern lights
Unsurprisingly, the further north you go to the United States or Canada, the better your chances of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Aurora Borealis have been spotted above the Arctic Circle in the past few weeks, but current SWPC forecasts indicate the likelihood that they will be visible around midnight local time on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday even in the southern United States, thanks to predicted geomagnetic storms.
According to Jamie Carter , senior researcher the Forbes, geomagnetic storms predicted this week indicate that the northern lights can be seen as far south and in the northern regions of Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, as well as in the southern regions. Ontario and Quebec in Canada. There is also the possibility that these storms could get even stronger, which means that the northern lights can be seen even from the northern regions of Washington, Oregon, South Dakota and Maine.
Here are some Northern Lights footage captured in Minnesota on Saturday night:
How to see the northern lights
Even if you live in one of these areas, it does not guarantee that you will be able to spot the northern lights, because in the end it comes down to not only forecasting a geomagnetic storm, but also your local weather forecast. Namely, to keep the sky clear. If you’re checking the forecast and it doesn’t require cloud cover in your area, Carter said , here’s how to maximize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights:
- Make a plan to be somewhere with a clear horizon to the north, preferably one with no city or town (light pollution will make it difficult to find). Be there around midnight.
- It is advisable to choose an area with a dark sky. Check the light pollution map , search for dark spots and find a spot in a dark sky .
- Let your eyes adjust to the dark for about 20 minutes.
- Keep your expectations in check; you will most likely see a layer of green above the northern horizon, not an all-out geomagnetic storm overhead.
If you’re planning on photographing this phenomenon, start with this guide to finding a really dark place, then check out our tips for capturing the sky at night . There are also many specific strategies for capturing the northern lights that can be helpful . Good luck! And even if they don’t actually appear this week, at least you haven’t booked a trip to Europe to see them.