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A G2-rated geomagnetic storm is not a major aurora outbreak forecast, but KP6 conditions \u2014 which are predicted \u2014 can bring visible northern lights to the far northern tier of the U.S., especially near the Canadian border. (Photo by Owen Humphreys\/PA Images via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
PA Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n
A G2-class geomagnetic storm is possible overnight on Thursday, July 2, through Friday, July 3, potentially bringing displays of the northern lights<\/a> to northern states along the U.S.-Canadian border. Here\u2019s how to photograph the northern lights with a phone<\/a>. <\/p>\n The forecast from space weather experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts the most activity will occur as it gets dark in North America on Thursday, July 2.<\/p>\n The potential for a display of aurora comes as an Earth-directed, full halo coronal mass ejection \u2014 a cloud of charged particles \u2014 left the sun late on June 30 in the wake of an X-class solar flare.<\/p>\n It could cause a G2-class geomagnetic storm, which could mean the aurora is seen on the northern horizon in U.S. states close to the border with Canada \u2014 most likely across parts of Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota and northern Wisconsin \u2014 but potentially much farther south in northern and lower Midwest states.<\/p>\n Long daylight hours in the wake of last week\u2019s solstice<\/a>, coupled with the light of the waning Strawberry Moon<\/a> in the south after midnight, may make aurora harder to see.<\/p>\n NOAA’s aurora viewline for July 2-3, 2026. NOAA forecasts a G2 geomagnetic storm for July 2-3 as a CME arrives, with aurora most likely on the northern horizon in U.S. states close to the Canada border.<\/p>\n NOAANorthern Lights Tonight: What To Expect<\/p>\n A G2-rated geomagnetic storm is not a major aurora outbreak forecast, but KP6 conditions \u2014 which are predicted \u2014 can bring visible northern lights to the far northern tier of the U.S., especially near the Canadian border.<\/p>\n The nine states with the best chance include the northern parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine. It\u2019s also possible that aurora will be glimpsed from Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire.<\/p>\n According to a forecast by space weather experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, \u201cG1-G2 conditions are likely by 03 Jul due to the anticipated arrival of the 30 Jun CME associated with the X1.1 flare,\u201d states<\/a> NOAA.<\/p>\n A UK Met Office forecast slightly downplays the possibility of strong solar storms. \u201cA coronal mass ejection (CME) arrival is likely to arrive early on the 03 Jul, leading to an increase in potential visible aurora,\u201d states the UK Met Office\u2019s Space Weather forecast<\/a>.<\/p>\n Space weather can change rapidly, with forecasts revised frequently.<\/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.<\/p>\n Forbes50 Days To A Total Solar Eclipse \u2014 Where And When To Experience ItBy Jamie Carter<\/a>Northern Lights Alert: Latest Updates<\/p>\n To check visibility in real time, use NOAA\u2019s 30-minute aurora forecast<\/a> or download apps such as Aurora Now, My Aurora Forecast or Glendale Aurora for up-to-the-minute alerts and live solar wind data.<\/p>\n Whether an aurora display materializes largely depends on the interplanetary magnetic field, specifically its Bz component (you\u2019ll find it in some of the above apps and on SpaceWeatherLive.com). Bz determines how easily solar energy enters Earth\u2019s magnetosphere. When Bz points north, Earth\u2019s field resists it; when Bz swings south, the two fields connect, allowing plasma to stream in. A sustained southward Bz of \u22125 nT or stronger usually signals an imminent display of aurora.<\/p>\n