- Thursday, July 17, 2025
A powerful solar storm could make the aurora borealis visible as far south as Pennsylvania and Indiana tonight. Here’s where and how you can catch this rare celestial display.
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Skywatchers across the United States may be in for a rare and mesmerizing treat tonight as a powerful solar storm continues to rock Earth’s magnetic field, potentially making the northern lights visible in 23 U.S. states.
From Alaska to Pennsylvania, aurora borealis displays could streak across the night sky, offering a stunning show of natural light to those in the right place at the right time.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center, the Earth was hit by a fast-moving coronal mass ejection (CME) in the early hours of June 1, triggering geomagnetic disturbances and enhancing auroral activity.
This event has pushed the auroral oval farther south than usual, which means states not typically treated to these lights may catch a glimpse.
The solar storm is currently producing geomagnetic storming at G1 to G2 levels, with chances of escalating to G3 and even G4, which is classified as severe.
The Kp index—a scale from 0 to 9 used to measure geomagnetic activity—is forecasted to peak at 7.67 over the next 24 hours. The higher the Kp, the further south the auroras may be visible.
Space weather experts, including the UK’s Met Office, are closely monitoring conditions. If predictions hold, aurora hunters in the U.S. should be on alert for an exceptionally bright and widespread northern lights event.
Where Can You See the Northern Lights Tonight?
NOAA’s latest aurora visibility map shows a wide band of the northern US under the auroral oval, meaning several states could witness the light show if weather and light conditions cooperate. The 23 states with a chance of viewing the aurora tonight are:
States closer to the northern border are more likely to catch the aurora, especially if skies are clear and viewers are in dark, rural locations. Still, auroras are unpredictable. They can shift farther south or not show up at all depending on last-minute atmospheric changes.
How to View the Northern Lights
If you’re located in one of the 23 states listed, your best bet is to find a dark, north-facing area away from city lights. With summer solstice approaching, nighttime darkness is limited, so plan to be outside during the early morning hours—around 1 to 2 a.m. local time—for optimal viewing conditions.
To stay up to date, download apps like “My Aurora Forecast & Alerts” or “Space Weather Live”, which offer real-time updates based on your GPS location. These tools can notify you when auroral activity intensifies in your area.
Charge your cameras, bundle up, and look north. Whether you’re an avid stargazer or a curious observer, tonight might offer one of the most memorable light shows of the year—no telescope required.
