Topline
The northern lights have a chance of appearing again in the northern United States on Tuesday night, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted—although likely only viewers in the northernmost states have a chance to catch the spectacle.
The aurora borealis has a chance to appear for viewers in parts of the United States.
Key Facts
NOAA forecasters are not expecting any major geomagnetic storms or solar wind features Tuesday night, but there is still a chance of a mildly intense aurora borealis Tuesday evening, with a Kp index of three out of nine.
With a Kp index of three, the aurora will become “brighter” and include “more auroral activity (motion and formations),” according to NOAA.
The aurora could be visible from most of Canada and Alaska, and as far south as the upper Midwest, according to NOAA.
What States Could See The Aurora?
Much of the upper Midwest and Great Plains could see the aurora Tuesday, including Montana, North Dakota, northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, as well as most of Alaska. The aurora could also be visible in the northernmost part of Idaho and northwestern corner of Washington, according to forecasters.
What Time Will The Aurora Be Visible?
The northern lights are most clearly visible between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., according to NOAA. The aurora may appear earlier or later than this, but it is typically less active and not as “visually appealing,” according to the agency. For best viewing conditions, observers should travel closer to the magnetic pole and away from cities or other sources of light pollution.
What To Watch For
This week’s aurora borealis could coincide with one of the year’s most anticipated stargazing events. The Perseids meteor shower will begin Thursday in the Northern Hemisphere. The meteor shower’s peak night this year is between Aug. 12-13, when hundreds of meteors could be visible in the night sky. However, a recent full moon will make viewing these meteors much more difficult in a brighter night sky. Instead, stargazers could look for meteor falling at much lower rates, but less obstruction from moonlight, between July 17-July 30.