Between Sunday, Oct. 11, and Tuesday, Oct. 13, a series of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) \u2014 huge clouds of charged particles and magnetic fields hurled from the Sun \u2014 set out toward Earth<\/a>, and NOAA said their arrival could stir geomagnetic storm conditions late this Thursday, Oct. 16.<\/p>\n According to the latest forecast<\/a>, geomagnetic activity is expected to stay below storm levels, with the strongest three-hour Kp forecast at just 2.67. That\u2019s a quiet-to-unsettled backdrop, not the G1 or G2 storm conditions that typically push the auroras farther south.<\/p>\n Still, the northern lights are notoriously fickle, so brief displays can\u2019t be ruled out, especially under dark skies at high northern latitudes.<\/p>\n NOAA\u2019s three-day forecast<\/a> also notes that as solar-wind measurements arrive, conditions may shift during the evening.<\/p>\n So, if you\u2019re hoping for a glimpse of the dazzling aurora, keep an eye on the real-time map and give your eyes time to adjust once you\u2019re away from city lights.\u00a0<\/p>\n In the meantime, read on for everything you need to know about this stellar event.<\/p>\n When will the northern lights be visible? Aurora BorealisCredit: Dean Mouhtaropoulos\/Getty<\/p>\n Look up after dark and check conditions throughout the night.<\/p>\n NOAA\u2019s forecast puts activity below storm levels, with the highest predicted Kp period from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. ET.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, despite the forecast window, it doesn\u2019t guarantee visible auroras.<\/p>\n It doesn\u2019t hurt to keep an eye out for the aurora either way.<\/p>\n Where will the northern lights be visible? Northern LightsCredit: Lance King\/Getty<\/p>\n The best chance to catch a glimpse of the auroras is at high northern latitudes, including Alaska and far northern Canada, under clear, dark skies.<\/p>\n \u201cThe aurora may become visible over some northern and upper Midwest states from New York to Idaho,\u201d NOAA said.<\/p>\n How to watch the northern lights? Aurora borealisCredit: Gallo Images ROOTS Collection\/Getty<\/p>\n Get away from city lights!<\/p>\n Auroras are surprisingly faint to the naked eye at first, especially during weaker geomagnetic storms, so dark skies make a huge difference.<\/p>\n Patience matters, too! After all, auroral activity can fluctuate quickly, sometimes appearing as a faint glow before suddenly erupting into visible ribbons or waves of green light.<\/p>\n![\"Aurora](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/899010b1-da1f-4af1-907e-a39e9ed6501c.jpg\"\/)
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Northern](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/aa9dbc26-f101-4f17-b4cd-c6abc6bb9a40.jpg\"\/)
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Aurora](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/0876f942-3e03-4ad4-8a63-bc4fb154c924.jpg\"\/)
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