Northern Lights Forecast: 10 States May See Aurora This Weekend

NOAA forecasts a potential G1 and G2 geomagnetic storm on Friday, July 31, through Sunday, Aug. 2, with aurora most likely on the northern horizon in U.S. states close to the Canada border.. The northern lights...

July 31, 2026

NOAA forecasts a potential G1 and G2 geomagnetic storm on Friday, July 31, through Sunday, Aug. 2, with aurora most likely on the northern horizon in U.S. states close to the Canada border.. The northern lights (aurora borealis) lights up the northern sky as the Old Faithful geyser emits steam on May 12, 2024 in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. (Photo by Jonathan Newton/Getty Images)

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The northern lights could become visible across parts of the northern U.S. overnight on Friday, July 31, through Sunday, Aug. 2, as a coronal mass ejection that left the sun on July 30 strikes Earth’s magnetic field.

According to Spaceweather.com, the CME — a cloud of magnetic fields and charged particles — left the sun in the wake of a solar flare that, despite being weak, lasted for many hours. While the CME is not expected to arrive until the early hours of Sunday, Aug, 2 — when it could cause a G2-class geomagnetic storm — lesser but significant geomagnetic activity is also possible in the early hours of Saturday, Aug. 1.

It could potentially bring aurora into view from northern-tier U.S. states close to the Canada border, though it may be a faint display visible only to those who photograph the northern lights with a phone. Cameras often detect faint aurora before the human eye can see color clearly.

The short summer nights, combined with this week’s full moon, may make faint aurora harder to see. The forecast comes as noctilucent clouds are being seen in the northern hemisphere, a comet brightens and two meteor showers peak — just weeks before a total solar eclipse, for which solar eclipse glasses are required.

Northern Alert For Tonight And This Weekend

According to a forecast by space weather experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, slightly heightened geomagnetic activity is possible early on Saturday, Aug, 1, with Kp 4 conditions forecast. About 24 hours later, early on Sunday, Aug. 2, a G2-class geomagnetic storm is predicted, with Kp 5.67 conditions forecast. In its wake, a G1-class geomagnetic storm is expected. “G1-G2 (Minor-Moderate) geomagnetic storms are likely on 02 Aug due to the anticipated arrival of a CME that left the sun on 30 Jul,” stated NOAA. A forecast discussion from NOAA suggests “isolated active periods” through Saturday, Aug, 1, from CMEs that left the sun on July 26-27.

The UK Met Office’s Space Weather Operations Center is forecasting a similar scenario, but is more pessimistic, stating: “A weak CME may deliver glancing impacts late day 1 (31 Jul).” It also added that there’s “a chance of Active intervals from any CME glance or fast wind enhancement until late day 2 or early day 3 (01-02 Aug), when there is a potential for G1-G2/Minor-Moderate geomagnetic storms from the 30 Jul CME arrival.”

All of this suggests a relatively modest space weather event, but enough to give observers across northern-tier U.S. states a chance of seeing the northern lights if skies are clear — and the solar wind’s magnetic field turns southward as it reaches Earth.

Northern Lights Forecast For The U.S.

A G1 geomagnetic storm can sometimes make the aurora visible from northern U.S. states, particularly from locations close to the Canadian border. Potential viewing areas may include parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. Widespread visibility across the central or southern U.S. is not expected under the current forecast, but a G2 geomagnetic storm could mean faint aurora being seen in northern parts of Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. However, Kp does not guarantee that aurora will be visible from every location at a given latitude, and some locations may record only a faint photographic glow.

Aurora Alert: Solar Wind Conditions

Aurora visibility will ultimately depend on the strength of the solar wind, cloud cover, local light pollution and the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field. The latter, known as Bz, is one of the most important factors. When Bz points south, it can connect more efficiently with Earth’s magnetic field, allowing energy and charged particles to enter the magnetosphere. A sustained period of southward Bz could make the aurora brighter and push it farther south than expected. If Bz remains northward, however, the resulting display may be weak or restricted to higher latitudes.

Skywatchers should look toward the northern horizon during the darkest part of the night. A location away from streetlights and other sources of light pollution will offer the best chance of seeing faint aurora.

Aurora Alerts: Latest Updates

Aurora forecasts can change quickly after a high-speed solar wind stream reaches Earth. To check visibility in real time, use NOAA’s 30-minute aurora forecast or download apps such as Aurora Now, My Aurora Forecast or Glendale Aurora for up-to-the-minute alerts and live solar wind data.

Smartphone cameras using Night Mode or a long-exposure setting may detect faint green, red or purple aurora before the colors become obvious to the naked eye.

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.