{"id":547077,"date":"2026-03-19T16:15:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T16:15:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/547077\/"},"modified":"2026-03-19T16:15:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T16:15:10","slug":"time-to-watch-the-skies-the-odds-for-northern-lights-photography-this-week-just-got-even-better","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/547077\/","title":{"rendered":"Time to watch the skies! The odds for northern lights photography this week just got even better"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"64f6a0e6-229d-4c5f-845c-32b1add93d15\">Astrophotographers, grab your gear \u2013 a strong solar flare has increased the odds for catching the northern lights this week.<\/p>\n<p>The sun let off a flare on Monday that experts expect <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.swpc.noaa.gov\/products\/3-day-forecast\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.swpc.noaa.gov\/products\/3-day-forecast\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\">could bring storms as powerful as a G2.<\/a> For those in the US, that means potential aurora sightings in more than a dozen states, as far south as Illinois, if current conditions persist.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"64f6a0e6-229d-4c5f-845c-32b1add93d15-2\">The <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/weather.metoffice.gov.uk\/specialist-forecasts\/space-weather\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-url=\"https:\/\/weather.metoffice.gov.uk\/specialist-forecasts\/space-weather\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\">UK&#8217;s MET Office<\/a> has also now issued a geomagnetic storm watch, with a potential for a visible aurora &#8220;as far south as parts of northern England.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Article continues below <\/p>\n<p>            You may like<\/p>\n<p>While conditions were originally expected to bring a possible solar storm overnight on March 17 and 18, an updated forecast now shows continued odds for March 19 and 20.<\/p>\n<p>The <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.swpc.noaa.gov\/communities\/aurora-dashboard-experimental\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.swpc.noaa.gov\/communities\/aurora-dashboard-experimental\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts<\/a> conditions could peak around a G2, KP6 storm around 8 PM ET on March 19 (which is around 1 AM GMT March 20). Conditions remain at a potential G2 for a few hours before dropping to a potential G1.<\/p>\n<p>Levels could potentially exceed a KP6, G2 storm again on March 20, around 11 PM ET (3 AM GMT on March 21). Conditions are expected to remain favorable through the night.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:111.13%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/6XE6TtqiSVMxZETYAtrusV.jpg\" alt=\"The aurora forecast for March 19\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/6XE6TtqiSVMxZETYAtrusV.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/6XE6TtqiSVMxZETYAtrusV.jpg\" class=\"inline\"\/>\n<\/p>\n<p>States above the red line have the highest odds of spotting the aurora (Image credit: NOAA)<\/p>\n<p id=\"4c7d80c4-27d8-4ee3-a318-54632eb8796e\">Predicting the aurora is never a sure thing \u2013 <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.swpc.noaa.gov\/products\/aurora-30-minute-forecast\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.swpc.noaa.gov\/products\/aurora-30-minute-forecast\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\">NOAA\u2019s 30-minute forecast<\/a> tends to be more accurate than the three-day predictions, so photographers may want to check conditions again before heading out.<\/p>\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The best camera deals, reviews, product advice, and unmissable photography news, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<p>March tends to be a favorable month for spotting the aurora, as the equinox tends to allow for more interaction <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/stargazing\/auroras\/aurora-alert-powerful-geomagnetic-storm-could-spark-northern-lights-as-far-south-as-illinois-on-march-19\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/stargazing\/auroras\/aurora-alert-powerful-geomagnetic-storm-could-spark-northern-lights-as-far-south-as-illinois-on-march-19\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">between solar wind and Earth&#8217;s magnetic field<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Along with strong solar activity, photographers will also need clear skies to capture the northern lights. A cloudless sky is best, though skywatchers may be able to find a lucky break with partially cloudy conditions.<\/p>\n<p>Locations <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/features\/7-secret-places-for-astrophotography-in-americas-darkest-state\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/features\/7-secret-places-for-astrophotography-in-americas-darkest-state\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/features\/7-secret-places-for-astrophotography-in-americas-darkest-state\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">away from light pollution<\/a> also have higher odds. The moon is in the New Moon phase, which should also help conditions, as light from a full moon can make the lights harder to spot.<\/p>\n<p>Photographers have a bit working in their favor, however, as the aurora is often easier for a camera to spot than the human eye. I\u2019ve photographed several minor solar storms that popped up on my camera, but I couldn\u2019t quite make them out with my eyes.<\/p>\n<p>To prep for photographing the aurora, <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/buying-guides\/best-tripod\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/buying-guides\/best-tripod\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/buying-guides\/best-tripod\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">have a tripod ready<\/a> and the camera batteries fully charged \u2013 especially in March, as cold weather can drain batteries faster.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-you-may-also-like\"\/>You may also like<\/p>\n<p id=\"112f8236-7ce8-402a-8e3d-02b2b653721c\">Learn <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/features\/northern-lights\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/features\/northern-lights\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/features\/northern-lights\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">how to photograph the northern lights<\/a>. Browse <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tutorials\/northern-lights-photography-tips-and-techniques-for-stunning-images\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tutorials\/northern-lights-photography-tips-and-techniques-for-stunning-images\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tutorials\/northern-lights-photography-tips-and-techniques-for-stunning-images\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">northern lights photography tips<\/a> or find inspiration in the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/photography\/astrophotography\/an-adventure-photographer-planned-this-amazing-shot-for-eight-months-a-surprise-aurora-made-the-image-even-more-epic-ice-caves-a-pilots-view-and-more-top-the-best-northern-lights-photos-of-2025\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/photography\/astrophotography\/an-adventure-photographer-planned-this-amazing-shot-for-eight-months-a-surprise-aurora-made-the-image-even-more-epic-ice-caves-a-pilots-view-and-more-top-the-best-northern-lights-photos-of-2025\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/photography\/astrophotography\/an-adventure-photographer-planned-this-amazing-shot-for-eight-months-a-surprise-aurora-made-the-image-even-more-epic-ice-caves-a-pilots-view-and-more-top-the-best-northern-lights-photos-of-2025\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">best northern lights photos of the year<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Astrophotographers, grab your gear \u2013 a strong solar flare has increased the odds for catching the northern lights&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":547078,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[76,354,355,49,48,356,75],"class_list":["post-547077","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-arts-and-design","tag-arts","tag-arts-and-design","tag-artsanddesign","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-design","tag-entertainment"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/547077","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=547077"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/547077\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/547078"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=547077"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=547077"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=547077"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}