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The northern lights are created by the solar wind, a continuous stream of charged particles released by the sun. (Photo by Geoff Robins \/ AFP) (Photo by GEOFF ROBINS\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n
The northern lights<\/a> may be visible overnight from a few northern states along the U.S.-Canadian border on Thursday, June 18, into Friday, June 19, according to a forecast<\/a> by space weather experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Space weather can change rapidly, with forecasts revised frequently.<\/p>\n After dark on Thursday, Venus will be close to the Beehive Cluster<\/a> \u2014 an open cluster of 100 stars \u2014 with binoculars allowing both to be seen in the same field of view.<\/p>\n ForbesSee A Crescent Moon Thread The Planets: The Night Sky This WeekBy Jamie Carter<\/a>Northern Lights Forecast: What To Expect<\/p>\n This is not a major forecast \u2014 but an aurora is possible. NOAA is forecasting KP 4 conditions, which can sometimes bring visible northern lights to the far northern tier of the U.S., especially near the Canadian border in Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota and northern Wisconsin, as well as in southern Alaska (which presently has few hours of darkness).<\/p>\n If the skies are clear, aurora watchers should look north, avoid bright lights, and use long-exposure settings on their phones or cameras. Cameras often detect faint aurora before the human eye can see color clearly. Here\u2019s how to photograph the northern lights using a phone<\/a>.<\/p>\n An easy way to see what may soon become visible in North America is to check aurora webcams around the world<\/a> as darkness falls.<\/p>\n What This Means For Aurora Watchers<\/p>\n Aurora watchers at higher latitudes may have a modest chance of seeing activity, particularly during any unsettled or active geomagnetic periods. While no major storm is forecast, even moderate disturbances can enhance visibility under dark, clear skies.<\/p>\n Before heading out, check cloud cover, local viewing conditions and the latest space weather alerts. The strength of any display will depend on how the incoming solar wind interacts with Earth\u2019s magnetosphere, including changes in speed and magnetic orientation.<\/p>\n Current guidance suggests quiet to unsettled conditions on 18 June, with activity expected to increase from 19 to 20 June.<\/p>\n NOAA’s aurora viewline for Thursday, June 18, through Friday, June 10, 2026. <\/p>\n NOAAAurora Forecast: Latest Updates<\/p>\n For real-time aurora visibility, check NOAA\u2019s 30-minute aurora forecast<\/a> or use apps such as Aurora Now, My Aurora Forecast or Glendale Aurora. These tools provide live alerts, solar wind data and changing space weather conditions.<\/p>\n