A winter skywatching bonus: parts of the northern United States could see auroras on February 14 and 15, with the best odds late Sunday night if geomagnetic activity strengthens as expected.
Forecast guidance points to a G1 geomagnetic storm (a minor storm level) that can still produce aurora sightings for viewers who are far enough north and have dark, clear skies. If you want to follow the live forecast maps and activity levels, check the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center aurora forecast.
Best viewing window: between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time.
Where to look: face north with a clear view of the horizon, away from streetlights and city glow.
States with a chance of seeing the aurora based on the forecast “view line” that marks how far south visibility may reach include:
- Alaska
- Washington
- Idaho
- Montana
- Wyoming
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
- Michigan
- New York
- Maine
Another key indicator is the Kp index, a 0–9 scale that reflects geomagnetic disturbance. A peak around the mid-4 range can be enough to push aurora visibility farther south than normal, especially if the storm intensifies and skies cooperate.
Why auroras often ramp up around this time of year comes down to how solar wind and Earth’s magnetic field line up as we approach the spring equinox. When conditions favor a stronger magnetic connection, charged particles flow more efficiently toward the poles and energize gases in the upper atmosphere, producing the familiar green arcs and occasional red or purple edges.
How to boost your chances once you’re in a dark spot: give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust, keep your view aimed north, and try using your phone camera to scan the sky. Cameras often pick up faint auroral glow before it’s obvious to the naked eye.
If the forecast holds and clouds stay out of the way, this could be one of the most memorable sky shows of the weekend—subtle in some places, vivid in others, and always worth a look when geomagnetic activity rises.
