Predictable phenomenon of the Northern lights expected in 15 states this coming Saturday
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted that the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, could be visible in as many as 15 states across the United States this weekend.
According to NOAA's forecast, these states are forecasted to potentially have a visible northern lights display as they appear fully or partially above the aurora view line. While the exact states are not listed explicitly, they are likely to be a subset of an 18-state list ordered by likelihood of visibility based on proximity to the aurora oval's center.
The 15 most likely states would be those closest to the auroral oval. These states typically include the northern U.S. states such as Alaska, Washington, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine. States just south of this core, like Idaho, South Dakota, Iowa, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and possibly Oregon or Wyoming, also fall within or near the northern aurora oval where visibility is forecasted during heightened geomagnetic activity.
For the most precise and updated list, NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center or the Aurora Dashboard would provide current aurora visibility zones. NOAA updates their forecasts regularly to reflect changing solar activity.
If you're hoping to catch a glimpse of the northern lights, a dark location away from city lights is recommended for the best experience. Interestingly, sensors in cameras and phone cameras can pick up the colorful lights of the northern lights even if they aren't apparent to the naked eye.
So, keep a keen eye to the skies this weekend, and you might just witness this natural light show in your part of the country.
Environmental scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predict that states near the northern aurora oval, such as Alaska, Washington, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine, could experience visible northern lights during heightened geomagnetic activity. Additionally, states just south of this core, like Idaho, South Dakota, Iowa, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and possibly Oregon or Wyoming, may also have the chance to observe the aurora borealis due to their proximity to the aurora oval.
