Heads Up! Northern Lights Could Dazzle Skies Over 23 U.S. States Tonight

Get ready for a spectacular sky show! The northern lights, also known as auroras, might be visible across a wide swath of the United States tonight (June 1), thanks to a powerful solar storm currently shaking up Earth’s magnetic field.

What’s Causing the Buzz?

In the early hours of June 1, a speedy coronal mass ejection (CME) slammed into Earth, triggering ongoing geomagnetic storm conditions. This means the colorful auroras—normally visible only in high-latitude regions—could stretch much farther south than usual.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.K. Met Office, we’re looking at a period of frequent G1 to G2 level storming, with potential bursts of stronger G3 and even G4 level activity through June 2.

The Kp index—a scale measuring geomagnetic activity from 0 to 9—is expected to peak at 7.67 over the next 24 hours. (For context, a Kp of 5 or above often means northern lights could be visible in the northern U.S.)

Where You Might Catch a Glimpse

If skies are clear, people in 23 U.S. states might get lucky tonight. Alaska remains the best bet, but if geomagnetic conditions reach G3 or higher, states as far south as Illinois, Indiana, and Pennsylvania could join the aurora party.

Here’s the full list of states where auroras may be visible tonight, ordered roughly from most to least likely:

• Alaska
• Montana
• North Dakota
• Minnesota
• Wisconsin
• Michigan
• South Dakota
• Vermont
• New Hampshire
• Maine
• Idaho
• Washington
• Oregon
• New York
• Massachusetts
• Connecticut
• Rhode Island
• Nebraska
• Iowa
• Wyoming
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Pennsylvania

Best Tips to Spot the Lights

1. Get away from city lights – Find the darkest, most north-facing spot you can.
2. Be patient – Auroras are unpredictable. Sometimes they show up farther south than expected… other times, they ghost you completely.
3. Timing is key – The best window is likely between 1 and 2 a.m., especially as we inch closer to the summer solstice (June 20–21), when nights get shorter.

Want to Track It Live?

For real-time updates and forecasts tailored to your location, check out these handy apps:

• My Aurora Forecast & Alerts – Great for personalized alerts (iOS and Android)
• Space Weather Live – Offers in-depth space weather data (also on iOS and Android)

Or follow our aurora forecast live blog for ongoing storm updates and viewing conditions.

Bottom Line:

Whether you’re a seasoned aurora chaser or just hoping to catch your first glimpse, tonight might be your night. Charge your camera, grab a jacket, and keep your eyes to the skies—nature might just put on one of its most mesmerizing displays.