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NOAA\u2019s Space Weather Prediction Center has forecast up to G3-class geomagnetic storm conditions for Friday, July 3, through Saturday, July 4, with aurora most likely on the northern horizon in U.S. states close to the border with Canada.<\/p>\n
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The northern lights<\/a> may be visible overnight in up to 26 states on the Fourth of July, hours before Independence Day celebrations in the U.S. They are expected to be visible overnight on Friday, July 3, through Saturday, July 4.<\/p>\n Heading for Earth are multiple coronal mass ejections, clouds of magnetic fields and charged particles from the sun that stream into space at up to 1,900 miles (3,000 kilometers) per second. A G1, G2 or even G3-class geomagnetic storm could result, causing aurora to be seen on the northern horizon from 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 The waning Strawberry Moon<\/a>, in the southern sky after midnight, along with long daylight hours in the wake of last week\u2019s solstice<\/a>, may make aurora harder to see.<\/p>\n \u201cA series of direct+glancing blows beginning on July 3rd could spark G2 to G3-class geomagnetic storms over the 4th of July holiday weekend,\u201d according to SpaceWeather.com<\/a>, especially in northern-tier US states.<\/p>\n NOAA’s aurora viewline for overnight on July 3-4, 2026. <\/p>\n NOAANorthern Lights On Fourth of July?<\/p>\n According to a forecast<\/a> by space weather experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, \u201cG1-G2 conditions are likely by 03-04 Jul due to the anticipated arrival of the 30 Jun CME associated with the X1.1 flare\u201d<\/p>\n A UK Met Office forecast suggests that a G3-class geomagnetic storm is possible. \u201cGeomagnetic activity likely to reach Active to G1\/minor geomagnetic storm (Kp 4-5) with a chance of isolated G2 Moderate storm (Kp 6) intervals, and a slight chance of G3 Strong storm (Kp 7), if the CME is more impactful than anticipated,\u201d states the UK Met Office\u2019s Space Weather forecast<\/a> about July 3 in Universal Time \u2014 early on July 4 in North America. It also suggested that at least three CMEs that left the sun on July 1 could impact Earth on Sunday, July 5.<\/p>\n ForbesSee The Milky Way, Venus And A Full Buck Moon: July\u2019s Night SkyBy Jamie Carter<\/a>Northern Lights Tonight: What To Expect<\/p>\n KP7 conditions can mean the northern lights are seen down to the lower half of the U.S. During a G2-level geomagnetic storm, northern parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine. stand a chance. Also in with a shout are states farther south, including Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. If G3 storming materializes, those under dark skies in Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland may also see aurora.<\/p>\n If the skies are clear, aurora watchers should look north around midnight, 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 ForbesHow I Photograph The Northern Lights With My Phone \u2014 By An ExpertBy Jamie Carter<\/a>Aurora Alert: Latest Updates<\/p>\n