NOAA Forecasts Northern Lights in 9 U.S. States Tonight as Kp Index Reaches 4
Updated
Updated · Forbes · Jul 1
NOAA Forecasts Northern Lights in 9 U.S. States Tonight as Kp Index Reaches 4
3 articles · Updated · Forbes · Jul 1
Summary
Nine northern U.S. states could see the aurora Wednesday night after NOAA projected mild activity and a minor geomagnetic storm.
A Kp index of 4 on NOAA’s nine-point scale should make the display visible at higher latitudes, with stronger activity expected Thursday night at Kp 5.
Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are in the forecast zone, while Alaska has even better odds inland.
Viewing is typically best from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in dark, elevated locations; photographers are advised to use low apertures, wide-angle lenses, tripods or night mode.
The outlook comes after auroral activity hit a 500-year high in 2024 near the peak of the sun’s 11-year cycle, which scientists expect to fade significantly by 2027.