Aurora Borealis Appearance Possible Over 15 States on Saturday Night

Saturday Night's Display: Potential Visibility of Aurora Borealis in 15 States

The upcoming weekend is shaping up to be an exciting time for sky-gazers, as the northern lights (Aurora Borealis) are expected to make a spectacular appearance. According to NOAA and NASA, a geomagnetic storm is predicted to extend visibility much farther south than usual around August 19, 2025.

This spectacle is due to an increase in solar events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which are responsible for producing the northern lights. More solar events are expected to occur into early 2026, as NOAA and NASA said a peak in solar activity was reached in late 2024.

On Saturday evening, the northern lights are most likely to be visible in northern regions such as Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, the upper Midwest, New England, and possibly parts of Iowa and northern Illinois in the United States. NOAA forecasts a Kp index of five on a scale of nine for Saturday night, suggesting the northern lights could become visible as far south as northern Iowa.

For those who miss the Saturday show, NOAA's three-day outlook suggests the northern lights could be visible farther south due to the potential "moderate" storms early Sunday. However, periods of "minor" geomagnetic storms are expected late Saturday, followed by calmer auroral activity on Sunday and Monday nights, with a maximum Kp index of just over four and three forecast, respectively.

To capture this natural wonder, NOAA recommends using a smartphone with night mode enabled, disabling the flash, and using a tripod to stabilize images. Photography experts suggest using a wide-angle lens, an aperture or F-stop of four or less, and a focus set to the furthest possible setting when photographing the northern lights with a regular camera.

For those planning a trip to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis, NOAA recommends traveling to a north-facing, high vantage point away from light pollution. Forbes suggests reading about northern lights displays that hit a 500-year peak in 2024 for information on where to catch the aurora borealis in 2025.

It's important to note that the northern lights can be seen throughout the year depending on solar activity, not just during the winter months. So, keep your eyes to the sky, and you might just witness this breathtaking celestial event!