Northern Lights Forecast: Some States May See Aurora Thursday Night
The northern lights may be visible from states along the U.S.-Canadian border overnight on Thursday, June 18 into Friday, June 19, after a space weather forecast.
Jamie Carter, Senior Contributor
Forbes
2 min read
6/10
Key Takeaways
The aurora forecast for June 18-19 calls for a G2 geomagnetic storm with a KP index of 6.
States along the Canadian border, including Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Maine, have the highest visibility probability.
The CME that triggered this event erupted from sunspot region AR3725 on June 15, 2026.
Solar Cycle 25 is nearing its solar maximum, increasing the frequency of auroral displays.
Best viewing conditions occur from midnight to 3 AM local time under clear, dark skies away from urban light pollution.
A powerful Earth-directed solar eruption could paint the night sky green and purple across the northern U.S. Thursday night. A coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun is expected to strike Earth's magnetic field, triggering a G2-class geomagnetic storm, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). The northern lights forecast for Thursday, June 18 into Friday, June 19 shows that the aurora borealis may be visible from states along the U.S.-Canadian border. This celestial show comes as solar activity ramps up: the sun is approaching the peak of its roughly 11-year cycle, Solar Cycle 25. CMEs, which hurl billions of tons of solar plasma toward Earth, have become more frequent. The latest eruption originated from sunspot region AR3725 on June 15, and the resulting storm is predicted to reach a KP index of 6—a moderate but often visually impressive level. States with the best viewing potential include Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin (Upper Peninsula), northern New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Clear skies and dark locations far from city lights will maximize the experience. The prime viewing window is midnight to 3 a.m. local time, when the aurora is typically most active. While space weather forecasts carry inherent uncertainty, the CME's trajectory and the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field are favorable. Even if the storm weakens on arrival, northern border states routinely catch subtle auroral displays. Should skies be clouded or the aurora fail to materialize, the storm may persist into Friday night. Those who miss it can monitor spaceweather.com for real-time updates. With Solar Cycle 25 still ramping up, additional opportunities are likely in the coming weeks and months. The northern lights forecast for the next several days will depend on further solar activity, but Thursday night offers a promising chance for skywatchers across the northern tier of the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
The northern lights forecast for June 18, 2026, calls for a G2 geomagnetic storm with a KP index of 6, which may make the aurora visible from states along the U.S.-Canadian border. Prime viewing is expected between midnight and 3 AM local time.
States with the best chance to see the aurora Thursday night include Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin (Upper Peninsula), northern New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Southern states are unlikely to have visibility.
The best time to view the northern lights is between midnight and 3 AM local time, when geomagnetic activity is often strongest. Viewing should be done in a dark location away from city lights with a clear view of the northern horizon.
The aurora borealis is caused by coronal mass ejections or solar wind particles colliding with Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere. These collisions excite oxygen and nitrogen molecules, producing green, red, and purple light displays.
Northern lights forecasts are moderately accurate for large geomagnetic storms, especially when a CME's speed and direction are measured by solar observatories. However, local cloud cover, light pollution, and the exact timing of the storm's arrival can affect real-time visibility.
