Displays of Northern Lights are possible overnight on Tuesday, March 4, into Wednesday, March 5, in some northerly U.S. states after a geomagnetic storm was predicted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
After a relatively tranquil period on the sun, the past few weeks have seen several solar flares as solar activity gradually increases.
Where To See The Northern Lights Tonight
It’s possible that aurora could be glimpsed in the north from northeastern Washington, northern Montana, North Dakota, northern Minnesota and northern Michigan, while a smaller chance exists for northern Idaho, South Dakota, Wisconsin, northern Wyoming and northern Maine.
However, Alaska and Canada have the highest chance of sightings.
What Causes The Northern Lights?
Aurora results from interactions between the solar wind and Earth’s magnetic field. Most displays are down to geomagnetic storms caused by an intense solar wind powered by coronal mass ejections. These clouds of charged particles leaving the sun — usually in the wake of a solar flare — travel to Earth over a few days and interact with Earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field.
Why The Northern Lights May Be Visible Tonight
NOAA has predicted a G1 geomagnetic storm for March 4-5. Auroras are generally observed in polar areas, typically around 70 degrees north and south latitudes. However, during particularly geomagnetic storms the auroral oval can expand, allowing sightings as far south as 25 degrees north and south of the equator.
Northern Lights Tonight: Latest Updates
Knowing when a geomagnetic storm will begin — and how intense it will be — is all about knowing when a coronal mass ejection (a cloud of charged particles that left the sun two or three days ago) reaches Earth and begins interacting with the atmosphere. That’s not easy, but there is a warning system.
Although there is always uncertainty about a prediction of displays of the aurora, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center knows the characteristics of a CME when its particles strike the sensors of the DSCOVR and ACE satellites, which orbit Earth about a million miles out. They measure a CME’s speed and magnetic intensity, which is critical in calculating how the solar wind is about to change.
Depending on the speed of the CME, the satellites give about 15-30 minutes warning of a major space weather event — and the resulting displays of aurora. That’s why aurora hunters need to keep an eye on NOAA’s 30-minute forecast, where the latest updates are posted.
Northern Lights: ‘Solar Maximum’ Explained
Solar activity is at a 23-year high, with the current solar cycle— which lasts about 11 years — much stronger than the last.
In October, NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel announced that the sun had reached its “solar maximum” phase, the peak of its 11-year solar cycle. This phase is expected to continue through 2025 and perhaps into 2026.
Background: The Carrington Event
The most famous solar event was the “Carrington Event” of Sept. 2, 1859. British amateur astronomer Richard C. Carrington saw a stunning X45-class solar flare while observing the sun. It was the strongest ever seen. For comparison, the most powerful flare in the current solar cycle was an X9.9-class on Oct. 3, 2024.
The “Carrington Event” was followed by a massive CME that caused a geomagnetic storm, resulting in spectacular auroras visible down to the equator.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
