NOAA is forecasting an uptick in space weather, with the aurora borealis possible from northern U.S. states and Canada on Sunday, Feb. 22, through Monday, Feb. 23 . (AP Photo/Rene Rossignaud, File)
Image Rene Rossignaud/AP
The northern lights may be seen in northern U.S. states Sunday, Feb. 22, through Monday, Feb. 23, after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a geomagnetic storm watch, warning that minor G1-class geomagnetic storms are likely.
Spring equinox on March 20 makes auroras twice as likely in the weeks leading up as the magnetic fields of Earth and the solar wind align.
It comes as a period of potentially intense space weather is expected. Sunspot AR4366 — which produced several powerful X-class solar flares in early February, causing widespread northern lights across North America — is rotating to face Earth. AR4366 produced six X-class solar flares during early February.
Northern Lights Forecast: Moon Phase
For aurora-hunters, it can’t come soon enough, because the moon is getting brighter — something that tends to dull the effect of auroras. On Sunday, a 33%-lit waxing crescent moon will be in the sky after dark — close to the Pleiades open cluster of stars — but set a few hours after sunset across North America.
The northern lights are caused by the solar wind, streams of charged particles flowing from the sun that interact with Earth’s magnetic field. While most are deflected, some particles spiral along magnetic field lines toward the poles, colliding with oxygen and nitrogen atoms high in the atmosphere. These collisions excite the gases, causing them to release energy as shimmering light.
NOAA’s aurora viewline shows where northern lights may be seen in northern U.S. states overnight Sunday, Feb. 22, through Monday, Feb. 23, 2026.
NOAANorthern Lights Forecast: Where And When To Look
NOAA’s aurora view line shows the northern lights potentially visible — most likely low on the northern horizon — in up to 11 U.S. states near the Canada border. States in pole position include Alaska and (northerly parts of) Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine.
If a G2-class geomagnetic storm erupts — which is possible — it could potentially make aurora viewable from states much farther south. That could mean faint auroras visible low on the northern horizon in northern regions of Oregon, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. However, states farther north will always have the best odds.
The clearer and darker the northern sky, the more vibrant the display, so for the best views, use a light pollution map and a Dark Sky Place Finder (though finding a clear sky will also be essential).
Northern Lights Forecast: Latest Updates
The exact timing of space weather is difficult to predict because it depends on the speed of the solar wind. Continually monitor NOAA’s 30-minute aurora forecast and SpaceWeatherLive.com, as well as apps such as Aurora Now, My Aurora Forecast, SpaceWeatherLive or Glendale Aurora, which provide live solar wind data.
Look for data on the interplanetary magnetic field’s Bz component, which determines how easily solar energy enters Earth’s magnetosphere. When Bz points north, Earth’s field resists it; when Bz swings south, the two fields connect, allowing plasma to stream in. A sustained southward Bz of -5 nT or stronger usually signals an imminent display of aurora.
Photographing The Northern Lights With A Smartphone
If your smartphone has a Night Mode or Pro Mode, you can capture a beautiful aurora photo with these steps:
Use your main lens, not the ultra-wide, for sharper results.Stabilize the camera using a tripod or rest it on a firm surface such as a car roof, wall, or post.Shoot in RAW format if available, as it makes post-editing easier.Expect long exposures between five and ten seconds. Even faint glows that look grayish to the eye often appear vividly green, purple or red in photos.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.