Northern Lights Could Be Visible From 10 States Overnight Tuesday

Skywatchers across 10 northern U.S. states should look up Tuesday night: a G1 geomagnetic storm is set to make the northern lights visible as far south as New York and Washington. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued the forecast on July 20, predicting a minor but visually rewarding aurora display on the night of July 21–22. The northern lights visible tonight July 2026 event follows a coronal mass ejection from the sun, a reminder that the current solar cycle is nearing its peak. NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) in Boulder, Colorado, monitors such storms using the DSCOVR satellite, which measures solar wind speed and magnetic field strength. For a G1 storm, aurora typically appears along the northern horizon, often as green or faint red arcs. Key details: the 10 states are Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Washington. The best viewing window runs from 10 p.m. local time Tuesday through 2 a.m. Wednesday, with the auroral oval expected to dip just enough for southernmost states like New York to catch a glow. Clear skies are critical; cloud cover could obscure the display. NOAA’s OVATION model shows aurora probability above 40% in the northern tier. G1 storms are the weakest on NOAA’s five-level scale, but they can still produce noticeable auroral activity—enough to attract amateur photographers and dedicated chasers. Analysis: this forecast is part of Solar Cycle 25, which began in December 2019 and is now entering its maximum phase. The SWPC expects increasing solar activity through 2026–2027, meaning more frequent—and occasionally stronger—geomagnetic storms. While G1 events are common (about 2,000 days with G1 conditions per solar cycle), each one offers a chance for local communities, tourism boards, and science communicators to engage the public. Astronomer Dr. Angela Speck of the University of Missouri notes, “Even a minor storm like this can spark curiosity about space weather and the sun-Earth connection.” Outlook: if cloud cover interferes Tuesday night, another opportunity may arise within days as the solar active region continues to rotate toward Earth. The SWPC updates forecasts every 30 minutes; enthusiasts can monitor real-time aurora maps on the agency’s website. For now, the northern lights visible tonight July 2026 forecast gives millions of Americans a rare midweek reason to step outside and look north. But as solar activity climbs, the question isn’t if the next display will come—it’s how many states will be lucky enough to see it.