During the nights of 24 25 and June, the firmament of the United States could offer a true natural spectacle: the aurora boreal, a phenomenon usually only seen in much more northern latitudes, could be visible in up to 14 states of the country due to an unusual geomagnetic storm. Amateur astronomers, photographers, and curious people are eagerly awaiting these dates following the latest warnings issued by specialized agencies.
El NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a special forecast warning of the arrival of a geomagnetic storm, classified as G1 to G2, capable of displacing auroral activity much further south than usual. intensity expected, measured through the Kp index, could reach values of 5 or higher, which greatly increases the chances of witnessing the northern Lights in areas usually unaffected by this phenomenon.
States where you can see the Northern Lights
The forecast includes the possibility of sighting Aurora borealis in locations as diverse as the Northwest and Northeast United States. According to forecast data, the states most likely to experience the phenomenon during these nights will be:
- Washington
- Oregon
- Idaho (especially the north)
- Montana
- Wyoming
- North Dakota
- Dakota del Sur
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
- Michigan
- Iowa
- New York
- Vermont
- New Hampshire
- Maine
- Alaska
En particular, Alaska maintains the highest probability of sighting, although if the storm reaches significant values within the expected range, the aurora could also be seen in some points of Idaho, New York, and South Dakota, and even on the horizon of other neighboring states. Visibility will depend greatly on cloud cover, light pollution, and proximity to urban areas.
Reasons and visibility conditions
The origin of this geomagnetic storm is in the solar activityA large hole in the Sun's atmosphere is turning towards Earth, allowing a powerful stream of solar wind to be directed towards our planet. charged solar particles interact with the terrestrial magnetic field, resulting in a spectacular emission of light in the upper layers of the atmosphere.
NOAA predicts the phenomenon will occur during the night of June 24th and, especially, June 25th, taking advantage of the best darkness conditions. The proximity of the summer solstice means short nights in much of the Northern Hemisphere, so observation requires being alert during the darkest hours and being patient with the changes in the sky.
Specialists recommend staying away from cities and urban centers, seeking out open spaces with little light pollution, such as national parks or rural settings, to increase the chances of seeing the auroras clearly. Additionally, local weather conditions—cloud cover, fog, etc.—can be a determining factor in whether the event is visible to the naked eye.
How the Northern Lights Occur and What to Expect
The process behind the Northern Lights begins when the solar wind, a stream of charged particles from the Sun, reaches Earth and collides with its magnetic field. Although our planet deflects most of these particles, some manage to reach the regions near the poles, where they collide with atoms of oxygen and nitrogen present in the atmosphere. From this interaction arise the intense green, pink, reddish, violet or blue colors that characterize the auroras.
The frequency of these phenomena has increased due to the most intense solar activity in the last 23 yearsExperts consider it likely that more similar episodes will occur during the solar maximum phase, which could extend into 2026.
