NOAA Predicts Northern Lights Visibility Across Several U.S. States This Weekend
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecasted that the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, will be visible across several U.S. states this weekend. The phenomenon is expected to be observable from the late-night hours of Friday, May 15, into the early morning of Saturday, May 16, and again later that night into Sunday, May 17. The best viewing times are generally between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., although this can vary by location. The auroras may be visible further south than usual due to geomagnetic storms peaking over the weekend. States such as Alaska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, Montana, Idaho, and Washington are expected to have the best chances of viewing the lights. If the geomagnetic activity reaches a G2 level, the lights could also be seen in New York, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Oregon.