Northern Lights Forecast: Aurora Possible In 19 States On Monday Night

The northern lights might paint the sky across 19 U.S. states Monday night — a display that stretches from Washington to Maine. According to a new forecast from NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, the aurora borealis could be visible along the entire U.S.-Canadian border on June 29 into June 30. The event was triggered by a coronal mass ejection that struck Earth's magnetosphere, boosting geomagnetic activity to a Kp index of 6 or higher.

This isn't just a routine flicker. The forecast covers a broad swath of the northern tier: Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and several other states. For millions of Americans, Monday night offers a rare chance to see the aurora without traveling to Alaska or Canada.

Why now? The sun is approaching the peak of its 11-year solar cycle, Solar Cycle 25. Solar maximum, expected in 2025 or 2026, brings more frequent and intense coronal mass ejections. These ejections hurl charged particles toward Earth, exciting oxygen and nitrogen molecules in the upper atmosphere and producing the characteristic green, red, and purple curtains of light. The current active phase means northern lights forecasts are becoming more common even at mid-latitudes.

Viewing conditions matter. The aurora is best seen away from city lights, with a clear, dark sky — ideally between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. Cloud cover could be a spoiler in the Great Lakes and Northeast, but many areas are predicted to have partly clear skies. Amateur photographers should bring a tripod and use long exposures; smartphone night modes can also capture the show.

This latest Northern Lights forecast highlights how space weather events can be anticipated days in advance. NOAA uses satellite data from the DSCOVR satellite and ground-based magnetometers to issue alerts. The agency's OVATION model provides real-time aurora probability maps. For Monday night, the watch covers a Kp index of 6 (strong storm) to possibly 7 (major storm) — enough to push the aurora boundary well into the U.S.

What informed observers say? "We are in a very active period. The next two years will likely produce some of the best northern lights displays in two decades," noted a space weather analyst. The last major solar maximum in 2014 delivered spectacular shows, but population growth and light pollution have shifted the viewing calculus. Dark-sky advocates encourage people to find state parks or rural areas.

Looking ahead: The northern lights forecast for Monday is a preview of more potential activity this summer. Solar physicists track active regions on the sun's surface; several are currently Earth-facing. If you miss Monday, keep checking aurora alerts. The solar cycle has years of energy left. Clear skies permitting, this could be the start of a memorable few weeks for skywatchers across the northern U.S.