If you’re up for a dazzling, no-cost spectacle tonight, Mother Nature might just deliver. The aurora borealis—better known as the northern lights—is set to shimmer across parts of the U.S. on Saturday, March 22, 2025, with a fainter encore possible Sunday. As of 10:40 PM PDT, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a strong geomagnetic storm will light up the skies, potentially visible in over a dozen northern states. Here’s the rundown on where, when, and why this cosmic dance is happening.
Where Can You Catch the Show?
NOAA’s latest forecast pegs tonight’s aurora at a Kp index of 7—a measure of geomagnetic activity from 0 to 9—meaning the lights could stretch far south and dazzle with “bright and active” displays. The prime viewing zone spans 22 states, with the best odds in dark, northern spots. Here’s the breakdown:
- Top Seats: Alaska (practically a sure bet), Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. These border states are in the “red zone” for high visibility.
- Possible Views: Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, northern Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine fall along NOAA’s “view line”—the southern edge where the aurora might just peek over the horizon.
Your best bet? Head north, find a hilltop or open field, and dodge city lights. The darker, the better—think rural over urban.
When to Look Up
Timing’s tricky with auroras—they’re notoriously fickle. NOAA’s rule of thumb: the sweetest spot is within an hour or two of midnight local time, so 11 PM to 2 AM in your area. Tonight’s storm, triggered by a coronal mass ejection (CME) that left the sun on Friday, is expected to peak late Saturday into early Sunday. Posts on X from weather buffs like @SteveCaporizzo and @MaxVelocityWX echo this, urging skywatchers to start scanning after 10 PM local time as skies clear. Sunday’s display, with a weaker Kp of 2-3, might still be visible in northern states like Montana and Minnesota, but don’t expect the same punch.
For real-time updates, NOAA’s Aurora Dashboard (spaceweather.gov) is your go-to—it tracks the storm’s progress hourly.
What’s Behind the Lights?
The northern lights are nature’s neon show, sparked when charged particles from the sun slam into Earth’s atmosphere. These electrons jostle oxygen and nitrogen, exciting them to release energy as vivid green, red, blue, or even pink streaks. Earth’s magnetic field funnels these particles toward the poles, creating those iconic rays and spirals that have awed humans forever. Tonight’s culprit? A CME—a massive burst of plasma and magnetic field—clocking nearly 750,000 mph, set to hit Earth overnight.
Why are the northern lights appearing now?
The sun’s in overdrive, hitting the peak of its 11-year solar cycle, dubbed the “solar maximum.” NASA says we’re at a 500-year high for auroral activity, a trend that kicked off in 2024 and should roll through 2026. Friday’s CME, combined with lingering solar flares, is juicing up Earth’s magnetosphere for a rare stateside show. Even Forbes reports this could reach as far south as Illinois or Pennsylvania if conditions align.
Pro Tips for Viewing
- Location: Ditch the city glow—head to a dark, open spot with a clear northern view.
- Timing: Peek between 10 PM and 2 AM local time; clouds could crash the party, so check your local forecast.
- Gear: A smartphone in night mode can snag colors your eyes might miss.
Will It Happen?
At 10:40 PM PDT, the storm’s still brewing—NOAA’s calling it a G3 (strong) event tonight, fading to G1 (minor) by Sunday. Alaska’s a lock, but farther south, it’s a coin toss—local weather and light pollution could steal the show. Still, with LeBron lighting up Crypto.com Arena tonight, why not pair that with a cosmic encore? Grab a blanket, find a field, and hope the aurora RSVP’d.
