Maps show which states could see northern lights this weekend

The northern lights could dazzle millions of Americans in some northern states this weekend. An eruption of solar material from the sun earlier this week could lead to a show of the aurora borealis if the weather conditions are right, officials said.

The eruption, called a coronal mass ejection, prompted the federal government's Space Weather Prediction Center in Colorado to issue a geomagnetic storm watch for Friday, Saturday and Sunday to alert people about potential disruptions to navigation, power and radio systems.

What time will the northern lights be visible tonight?

The northern lights can be seen just after sunset and just before sunrise, but it's best to go out at night and away from city lights, according to the center.

The center recommends viewing the northern lights between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. According to the center, the best times of the year to see the aurora borealis are around the spring and fall equinoxes. The fall equinox was on Sept. 22.

Where can you see the northern lights tonight?

The northern lights could be seen as far south as Iowa, Oregon and Pennsylvania, according to the center.

If the conditions are right and the northern lights are bright, they can be seen from as far as 620 miles away, according to the center.

Northern lights map for tonight

The center released a map showing the northern lights forecast for Friday night. The map illustrates the predicted intensity of the aurora borealis over North America with a line showing how far south the lights could be seen on the northern horizon.

A map from the Space Weather Prediction Center shows the aurora forecast for the U.S. on Oct. 4, 2024. Space Weather Prediction Center

Northern lights map for tomorrow night

The center also released a map for Saturday night.

A map from the Space Weather Prediction Center shows the aurora forecast for the U.S. on Oct. 5, 2024. Space Weather Prediction Center

Parts of the country were treated to the northern lights last spring when a powerful geomagnetic storm reached Earth. While the storm expected this weekend is considered to be strong, it's not supposed to be as powerful as the one in May.

The northern lights fill the sky with green over the barn and pastures at Greaney's Turkey Farm in Mercer, Maine, on May 11, 2024. Michael Seamans/Getty Images

In:
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• National Weather Service
• Aurora Borealis
• Science
• Northern Lights