Friday Northern Lights Forecast: 10 States May See The Aurora Borealis Tonight

Aug 28, 2026 11:17 PM - 2 hours ago 3

Topline

The bluish lights could look successful up to 10 states Friday night, according to information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that forecasts mild auroral activity up of the weekend.

Northern lights (Aurora Borealis) illuminate the entity complete Beach Lake successful Alaska's Chugiak region, United States connected the nighttime of September 28th to 29th, 2025.

Photo by Hasan Akbas /Anadolu via Getty Images

Key Facts

A Kp scale of 5 has been issued for Friday night, which according to NOAA, intends the aurora tin beryllium “quite pleasing” to look astatine for those successful the correct areas.

Moderate geomagnetic large wind impacts, which are tin of strengthening bluish lights showings, are forecast for Friday night.

If forecasts hold, observers successful the U.S. will apt not person arsenic bully a chance to spot the bluish lights Saturday night, which holds a Kp scale of three.

Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible?

NOAA’s forecast representation shows the aurora borealis whitethorn beryllium visible successful areas including northern Washington, the bluish extremity of Idaho, overmuch of Montana, Wyoming adjacent the Montana border, North Dakota, bluish South Dakota, bluish Minnesota, the bluish extremity of Wisconsin, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and bluish Michigan. Alaska will person a overmuch higher chance of seeing the bluish lights than the little 48.

Friday night's aurora forecast.

NOAA

What’s The Best Way To See The Northern Lights?

Observers should effort to get a look astatine the bluish lights betwixt the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. utilizing precocious vantage points. Areas pinch small to nary ray contamination tin besides help. Less moonlight tin besides amended visibility, though Friday is group for a afloat moon.

What’s The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights?

Smartphone users should debar utilizing flash and alternatively usage nighttime mode if possible. People pinch accepted cameras should usage debased apertures, wide-angle lenses and tripods.

Key Background

Northern lights showings reached a 500-year precocious successful 2024 arsenic the sun reached the highest of its 11-year star cycle. Auroral activity has tapered disconnected since past and is expected to alteration moreover much by 2027, making this twelvemonth 1 of the champion opportunities to get a glimpse of the bluish lights arsenic much clip passes from the highest of the star cycle.

Further Reading

Aurora Dashboard (NOAA)

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