Unusual Activity on the Sun Will Make the Northern Lights Visible Across the U.S. Tonight

By: Stephanie Bontorin | Published: Jul 24, 2024

Back in May, some of the lower 48 states were lucky enough to experience the wonder of the northern lights during a week-long solar flare.

If you happened to miss this wonderful experience, you can be sure to stay up a little bit later tonight to see the majestic event. Get your cameras ready because another solar outburst is headed towards Earth, making the stunning lights visible as far south as New York and Idaho.

The Last View of the Lights

In early May, the world experienced a strange occurrence, a solar flare that knocked out tele-communications and made the northern lights visible as low as California.

A view of a long beach with rocky cliffs and a large purple sky overhead

Source: @Matt_Pinner/X

The massive sunspot triggered a series of events on Earth from one of the largest magnetic storms in over 20 years. Aside from a small heat wave and downed communications, there were no major negative side effects.

How Do We Know?

You might be wondering how scientists can predict where the northern lights might show up.

A photograph taken by NASA from space of the sun

Source: NASA/Solar Dynamics Observatory/Getty Images

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently reported a coronal mass ejection from the sun. This event is essentially a break in the sun’s magnetic field and causes solar particles to be launched into space.

Geomagnetic Storms

Once the sun begins to expel solar particles, they begin to cause issues in the Earth’s geomagnetic storm.

A photo of Earth from space with the Sun shining in the blackness of space

Source: Public Domain/Wikipedia Commons

The exchange of magnetic force into the Earth’s atmosphere changes the force in plasma surrounding the magnetosphere and causes the aurora borealis to be visible.

The Aurora Borealis

The aurora borealis is the official name given to the northern lights that dance in the Arctic Circle. Energized particles from the sun slam into Earth’s upper atmosphere at winds that move up to 45 million miles per hour.

Bright green lights visible over a mountainous area with a large lake

Source: @Amr10062/X

This mixture of particles in the air at high speeds causes the dancing like appearance in the sky.

Where Can The Lights Be Seen Usually?

Normally, the lights can only be seen within the geographic area beneath the auroral oval.

Purple and green lights illuminate the night sky

Source: Lightscape/Unsplash

It includes parts of Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Russia, Canada, Alaska, and southern Greenland. Many of these countries enjoy tourism from people all over the world who want to enjoy the lights.

Southern Lights

Many people might not be aware but there are actually a set of southern lights that take place over Antarctica.

A night sky filled with yellow and purple lights

Source: @Cretivefun2024/X

The Aurora Australis illuminate the night sky with flickering shades of green, blue, purple, and red, and are even more rare than their northern paramour.

Lights Will Be Visible Only Tonight

The infrequent occurrence will be visible in a few of the lower 48 states and across Canada tonight, July 24.

A streak of green lights over a snowy landscape and a small body of water

Source: @SophieCarrPhoto/X

Once they reach Earth, they will cause a geomagnetic storm over an area much lower than they usually appear.

Where Can They Be Seen From?

Tonight, the stunning green and blue lights will be seen in the skies over the upper Midwest states from New York to Idaho.

A large mountain with a blue and pink sky

Source: @MontanaImgs/X

Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Michigan, and Wisconsin will all have a safe shot at seeing the sight although it might extend into some neighbouring states as well.

See Footage Online

If the northern lights are new phenomenon to you, you can check out SpaceWeather.com to see an example of a coronal mass injection and get familiar with the lights.

A long road with a sky filled with purple and green lights

Source: @ReykjavikOutve2/X

It might be worth it to keep your science obsessed kids up a little later than usual for this once in a life time opportunity.

One Night Only

According to the NOAA, the evening of July 24 will be the only opportunity to see the aurora event. The agency says it won’t be a particularly strong even either, rating it at a G2 level.

A green night sky over a lake with a small island in the middle with trees surrounding the area

Source: @BesetPixMN/X

A G2-rated level is considered “moderate” and is the second lowest raring that the NOAA provides. Outside of giving off some high-voltage alarms, there won’t be any damage from the event.

How To See Them

There is no specific time that the lights might be visible and many people liken catching the lights to fishing.

Red and Green lights over a big body of water and a mountain

Source: @EN_formare/X

Even in places like Sweden and northern Canada where hotels and resorts are located for viewing the northern lights, guests must still stay awake all hours of the night to spot the phenomenon. If you live in a densely populated area with high levels of light pollution, you might consider taking a midnight snack and driving to a more remote area if you’re serious about seeing the lights.