Strong solar activity may make northern lights visible tonight

The northern lights may continue to illuminate the skies tonight as a fast solar wind stream from a large Earth-facing coronal hole continues to impact the planet’s magnetic field, leading to active and unsettled geomagnetic conditions.

Meteorologists at the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) forecast possible geomagnetic storm conditions for October 29 and 30, with a chance of moderate to strong storms if solar activity intensifies, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

According to NOAA, geomagnetic activity is expected to fluctuate between active and storm levels, making tonight an ideal opportunity to witness the aurora borealis.

Based on the latest forecast map, the auroras could be visible across 10 U.S. states: Alaska, North Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Idaho, Washington, South Dakota, Michigan, and Maine.

However, auroras are notoriously unpredictable. Even if you’re within the visible range, you’ll still need clear skies, minimal light pollution, a north-facing view, and a bit of luck to catch the show.

For those in the 10 U.S. states listed above, experts recommend the following to increase your chances of seeing the northern lights:

Go to a dark area away from city lights.
Find a clear northern horizon.
Look up between midnight and 2 a.m. local time, though activity can begin as soon as darkness falls.

Be patient — auroras often appear in waves and may start off faint.
Consider downloading a space weather app like Space Weather Live (available on iOS and Android) for real-time aurora forecasts based on your location.