Archive · 17 Jan 2026
Northern Lights May Appear in 15 US States Tonight
Tonight, people in 15 US states might be able to see the beautiful northern lights, also called the aurora borealis.
These lights are caused by special weather conditions in space.
The best time to look for them is from 1 am to 7 am in the morning.
To see them, you should find a dark place far from city lights and look towards the north.
The lights might not be very bright, so it's a good idea to use your phone's camera to help spot them.
Remember, the lights can be tricky to see, so be patient and give your eyes time to adjust to the dark.
The northern lights may be visible in 15 US states on January 16-17, 2024, due to geomagnetic storm activity.
Best viewing times are between 1 am and 7 am EST, with minor (G1) geomagnetic storm conditions possible.
States with potential aurora sightings include Alaska, North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Wisconsin, Michigan, South Dakota, Idaho, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Washington, Iowa, Wyoming, and New York.
To improve chances of seeing the aurora, find a dark spot with an unobstructed view to the north and use a phone camera to detect faint auroral glows.
Dark adaptation is crucial; give your eyes at least 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness for better visibility of the northern lights.
- Who
- Residents of 15 US states
- What
- Aurora borealis (northern lights)
- When
- January 16-17, 2024, with peak viewing times between 1 am and 7 am EST
- Where
- Alaska, North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Wisconsin, Michigan, South Dakota, Idaho, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Washington, Iowa, Wyoming, New York
- Why
- Due to geomagnetic storm activity
- Date
- January 16-17, 2024
- Best Viewing Times
- 1 am - 7 am EST (0600-1200 GMT)
- Geomagnetic Storm Level
- Minor (G1)
- States with Possible Aurora Sightings
- Alaska, North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Wisconsin, Michigan, South Dakota, Idaho, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Washington, Iowa, Wyoming, New York
- Optimal Viewing Conditions
- Clear, dark skies with an unobstructed view to the north