{"id":412122,"date":"2026-03-30T21:18:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T21:18:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/412122\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T21:18:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T21:18:13","slug":"10-states-may-see-aurora-monday-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/412122\/","title":{"rendered":"10 States May See Aurora Monday Night"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Solar<\/p>\n

NOAA is forecasting a G1-class geomagnetic storm on Monday, March 30, through Tuesday, March 31, with the aurora borealis possible from northern U.S. states and Canada. . (Photo by Ross Harried\/NurPhoto via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

NurPhoto via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The northern lights<\/a> may be seen in U.S. states Monday, March 30, through Tuesday, March 31, after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a geomagnetic storm watch, warning that a G1 or G2-class geomagnetic storm is likely. Geomagnetic effects may include auroras, likely in the northern sky in the hours before dawn on March 31. <\/p>\n

It comes in the wake of an X1.5-class solar flare \u2014 intense blasts of radiation that travel at light speed \u2014 on March 30, which erupted from sunspot 4405. It produced a coronal mass ejection \u2014 a cloud of charged particles that causes aurora when interacting with Earth\u2019s magnetic field. Crucially, the CME appears to be traveling in the direction of Earth and is expected to produce a G2 or G3-class geomagnetic storm on Tuesday, March 31, through Wednesday, April 1, according to SpaceWeather.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n

A bright, near-full pink moon will be in the sky after dark and will shine all night, making it harder to see faint aurora. <\/p>\n

Northern Lights Alert: Where And When To Look<\/p>\n

NOAA\u2019s aurora view line<\/a> shows the northern lights potentially visible \u2014 most likely low on the northern horizon \u2014 in up to 10 U.S. states near the Canada border. States in pole position include Alaska and (northerly parts of) Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine.<\/p>\n

If a G2-class geomagnetic storm erupts \u2014 which is possible \u2014 it could potentially make aurora viewable from states much farther south. That could mean faint auroras visible low on the northern horizon in northern regions of Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. However, states farther north will always have a better chance.<\/p>\n

For the best views, wait until the moon is down, using a light pollution map<\/a> and a Dark Sky Place Finder<\/a> (though finding a clear sky will also be essential). The clearer and darker the northern sky, the more vibrant the display \u2014 even during moderate geomagnetic storms. <\/p>\n

NOAA’s aurora viewline for Monday, March 20, 2026. <\/p>\n

NOAAMassive Sunspots<\/p>\n

The solar surface is currently covered in sunspots \u2014 magnetic disturbances on the sun\u2019s surface \u2014 with over 10 regions. Sunspots are cooler regions on the sun caused by a concentration of magnetic field lines, according to NASA<\/a> and tend to produce solar flares, which in turn cause coronal mass ejections. <\/p>\n

The sun\u2019s 27-day rotation is bringing more sunspots into view from Earth, which means the chances of solar activity and northern lights are higher in the coming week or two. As the sun rotates, sunspots will turn to face Earth, putting the planet in what scientists describe as the \u201cstrike zone.\u201d <\/p>\n

Northern Lights Alert: Latest Updates<\/p>\n

The exact timing of space weather is difficult to predict because it depends on the speed of the solar wind. Continually monitor NOAA\u2019s 30-minute aurora forecast<\/a> and SpaceWeatherLive.com<\/a>, as well as apps such as Aurora Now, My Aurora Forecast, SpaceWeatherLive or Glendale Aurora, which provide live solar wind data.<\/p>\n

Look for data on the interplanetary magnetic field\u2019s Bz component, which determines how easily solar energy enters Earth\u2019s magnetosphere. When Bz points north, Earth\u2019s field resists it; when Bz swings south, the two fields connect, allowing plasma to stream in. A sustained southward Bz of -5 nT or stronger usually signals an imminent display of aurora.<\/p>\n

How To Photograph The Northern Lights<\/p>\n

If your smartphone has a Night Mode or Pro Mode, you can capture a beautiful aurora photo with these steps:<\/p>\n